The spin-off Universum Digitalis, led by Professor Frederik Temmermans from VUB, has built a strong reputation in the world of digital art preservation since 2008. Originating from the Image Processing and Computer Vision research group at the VUB Department of Electronics and Informatics (ETRO), this ICT company develops innovative solutions for multimedia management and distribution via mobile apps and web-based platforms. Universum Digitalis primarily serves museums and cultural institutions, having completed several prestigious projects where technology and heritage reinforce each other.
A bridge between the past and the future
As part of the reopening of the Museum Sint-Janshospitaal in Bruges in 2023, and the upcoming opening of the "Closer to Memling Experience" on December 11, 2024, Universum Digitalis and Musea Brugge are ushering in a new era for Flemish masterpieces by artists like Hans Memling. By employing ultra-high-resolution imaging, Universum Digitalis created digital reproductions at gigapixel level, revealing the finest details of the artworks. These images, available on online platforms, allow art enthusiasts worldwide to experience the depth and complexity of Memling’s paintings in an unprecedented way. They also serve as valuable source material for art historical research, offering museums and scholars new insights. This project builds on previous successes by Universum Digitalis, including the digitization of masterpieces by Bruegel and Van Eyck—projects that have earned several prestigious awards, such as the Belgian E-Gov Award and the European Heritage/Europa Nostra Award. By making artworks more accessible to a wide audience, Universum Digitalis plays a unique role at the intersection of technology, academic research, and cultural preservation. The partnership with Musea Brugge highlights how Universum Digitalis continually strives to set new standards in digital art reproduction.
From the Louvre in Paris to the world
Universum Digitalis was also honored to make a significant contribution to a restoration project at the Musée du Louvre in Paris. For Jan van Eyck’s iconic painting The Virgin of Chancellor Rolin, Universum Digitalis meticulously documented the restoration with unparalleled precision through detailed image comparisons of before and after the restoration. Completed in December 2023, this project demonstrates the potential of advanced imaging technology in the preservation of cultural heritage. Thanks to the precise imagery, created in collaboration with the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (KIK), the Louvre now possesses valuable visual data that can be used in future restorations and research. In 2025, the public unveiling of the digitized works of the Dutch master Hieronymus Bosch is scheduled, along with the processing of the most recent recordings of the restoration of the final panels of the Ghent Altarpiece.
Innovation and accessibility
According to Professor Temmermans, the role of technology in preserving and making art historical works accessible is crucial for future generations: “It is important that we continue to use advanced technologies to protect and make historical artworks available to the general public.” Universum Digitalis combines its technical expertise with a passion for heritage, contributing to keeping our cultural heritage alive.
Interested to step into the colorful world of Hans Memling on the monumental attic of the Museum Sint-Janshospitaal? Learn more here about the "Closer to Memling Experience" that will start from December 11.
Image: detail from the right wing of the "Triptych of John the Baptist and John the Evangelist". Read more here.