Restituzioni is a project launched over 20 years ago, the upshot of Intesa Sanpaolo’s commitment to safeguarding and enhancing the value of Italy’s historical-artistic heritage. It consists of a restoration programme dedicated to works belonging to the national artistic heritage, managed in collaboration with the relevant public bodies, the Archaeological and Historical-Artistic Departments.
Thanks to the Restituzioni project, the Department of Archaeological Heritage of Calabria identified the Riding Ephebe, also known as the Marafioti Horseman, belonging to the Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria as one of the works in need of conservation work. Intesa Sanpaolo supported both the restoration and the organisation of temporary exhibitions that allowed the general public to better appreciate the results of the work being done, including through the publication of specific catalogues.
For this particular work, digi.Art provided its collaboration as Technical Sponsor of Intesa Sanpaolo, for the digitisation of the restoration of the Riding Ephebe and the survey aimed at creating a 3D model of the work.
The new technologies for the non-invasive survey on the “Riding Ephebe” used by Dr Rosanna Pesce’s company, digi.Art, enabled the restorers, Giuseppe Mantella and Sante Guido to obtain a three-dimensional model corresponding to reality and textured in high definition.
The first scanning operations on the Riding Ephebe were carried out with a three-dimensional scanner with structured light, specially configured taking into account the environmental conditions and the geometry of the object, with particular reference to the large undercut areas. Subsequently, a scanner with optical triangulation laser technology was used for the more detailed areas.
The rough three-dimensional model then underwent error correction procedures. A polygonal model was then generated to which were associated the textures obtained by means of a very high definition photographic survey.
Scans of the previously taken gammagraphs of the Riding Ephebe were integrated into the three-dimensional model, in order to also provide a complete view of how the pieces making up the work were internally attached and what sort of work had been carried out on the so-called anchoring brackets of the parts.
Finally, after the restorers had evened out the colour tones of the Ephebe’s surface, digital colouring was obtained by projecting the photos onto the 3D model with vertex colour: once the UV map had been generated on the model, the colour was converted to obtain a precise texture faithful to the work.
The results of the textured scanning, aimed at the creation of a real 3D database, will make it possible to formulate a philologically correct reconstruction hypothesis of the missing parts and to hypothesize, through digital imaging, a possible original destination and placement of the Riding Ephebe while fully respecting the work itself and without any risk to its preservation.
Since 19 March, 2016, following the FAI Spring Days, the Gallerie d’Italia in Piazza Scala has been a wonderful setting for the exhibition of the Riding Ephebe, a polychrome earthenware group dating from 425 to 400 B.C., which represents a preview of the Restituzioni exhibition, organised and curated by Intesa Sanpaolo at the Gallerie d’Italia, and which will be officially opened on 31 March, 2016 at 5:30 p.m.
For more details:
Restituzioni
Giornate FAI di Primavera – Piazza della Scala
