Colour changes in Girl with a Pearl Earring

Master thesis (2023)

Authors

L.C.A. Oude Luttikhuis Mechanical Engineering

Contributors

J. Dik Materials Science and Engineering (supervisor 1)
G.H.J. Langejans Team Joris Dik - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering (supervisor 2)
E. Eisemann Computer Graphics and Visualisation - EEMCS (supervisor 2)
Abbie Vandivere (supervisor 2)
Faculty
Mechanical Engineering
Copyright: © 2023 Lucie Oude Luttikhuis
BRDF Colour Fading Johannes Vermeer Girl with a Pearl Earring Painting Oil Paint
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Published Date

20-03-2023

Language

English

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Faculty

Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

The goal of this project was to simulate the colour change over time of Girl with a Pearl Earring from Johannes Vermeer. Using art history knowledge and computational methods this was proven to be possible. The combination of these methods is unique and promising.

As a first for the Girl, the paints that Vermeer used have been reconstructed and artificially aged by UV light at AkzoNobel. Their colour change was then measured and turned out to be as expected. The mechanisms of indigo, yellow and red lake fading seems plausible. A start in reconstructing the painting has been made by digitally applying these colour changes on the original painting.

The digital reconstruction showed that the contrast increased and the Girl is more lively and looks ready to step out of the painting, there is a clear three dimensional effect. The colours are more defined instead of faded and patchy. More contrast can be seen, which is for example shown in the white collar. It also makes the edges between the face and background sharper. Overall, the painting shows more Houding and seems to be more like Vermeer probably intended it to be. A reconstruction made with BRDF should be more scientifically accurate than the reconstruction presented here.

Important points for future research are more opaque samples, which are created in more batches. Another point is that the measured light intensities should not be in lux and to be quick in the BRDF measurements after UV aging. Finally, it would be interesting to reconstruct other paintings, from Vermeer or from another painter.