Chain Line Pattern Matching and Rembrandt’s Prints
C. Richard Johnson (Cornell University)
William A. Sethares (University of Wisconsin-Madison, Rijksmuseum)
Margaret Holben Ellis (New York University, Morgan Library & Museum)
Saira Haqqi
Reba Snyder (Morgan Library and Museum)
Erik Hinterding (Rijksmuseum)
Idelette Van Leeuwen (Rijksmuseum)
Arie Wallert (Universiteit van Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum)
Jan Van der Lubbe (TU Delft - Cyber Security)
undefined More Authors (External organisation)
More Info
expand_more
Abstract
This report describes an ongoing project initiated in late 2012 to investigate the use of chain line pattern (CLiP) matching for the detection of mould mates (sheets made from the same papermaking mould) in the European paper used for printing Rembrandt’s etchings. We investigate the application of computer-based image processing tools to mark, measure, and compare the idiosyncratic intervals of chain lines as recorded in beta-radiographs of individual sheets in the hunt for mouldmates. Results indicate that CLiP has strong potential for investigating and matching papers used by Rembrandt and other early modern printmakers. It provides a new method that can identify related objects even in the absence of a watermark.