To mark the reopening of the Museum St John’s Hospital in Bruges on December 16, a groundbreaking collaboration between Universum Digitalis, a VUB spin-off, and the museum association Musea Brugge has brought the digital era to the masterpieces of Flemish primitive artist Hans Memling. Universum Digitalis is a spin-off co-founded and led by Professor Frederik Temmermans, which originates from the Image Processing and Computer Vision research group of the VUB’s Department of Electronics and Informatics (ETRO).
Universum Digitalis, renowned for its expertise in ultra-high-resolution image processing, played a pivotal role in the digitalization process. Tasked with processing high-resolution detail shots provided by the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage, the spin-off, with meticulous methodology, created gigapixel images. These digital reproductions, available online, not only allow art enthusiasts to appreciate the minutest details of Memling's works but also serve as a valuable resource for further research across various applications. Universum Digitalis has a history of similar successes, including the digitalization of works by Bruegel and Van Eyck, earning them recognition such as the Belgian E-Gov Award and a European Heritage/Europa Nostra Award.
As the digitalized works of Hans Memling open new possibilities for accessibility and research, Universum Digitalis stands as a beacon of innovation in the intersection of art, technology, and academia. With a commitment to preserving cultural heritage, the spin-off exemplifies the collaborative spirit of VUB, pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Universum Digitalis continues to shape the future of digital art reproduction, reinforcing its position as a leader in the field. The success of this collaboration reaffirms the university's dedication to fostering innovation and establishing meaningful connections between academia and the broader cultural landscape.
Click here to access the digital reproductions of Hans Memling.
source: https://press.vub.ac.be/vub-spin-off-instrumental-in-digitalisation-of-…