Surface shape studies of the art of Paul Gauguin

Starting in the 1890s the artist Paul Gauguin (1848-1903) created a series of prints and transfer drawings using techniques that are not entirely understood. To better understand the artist´s production methods, photometric stereo was used to assess the surface shape of a number of these graphic works that are now in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Photometric stereo uses multiple images of Gauguin´s graphic works captured from a fixed camera position, lit from multiple specific angles to create an interactive composite image that reveals textural characteristics. These active images reveal details of sequential media application upon experimental printing matrices that help resolve longstanding art historical questions about the evolution of Gauguin´s printing techniques. Our study promotes the use of photometric stereo to capitalize on the increasing popularity of Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) among conservators in the world´s leading museums.