Unlocking the Power of 3D Printing: Replicating Priceless Masterpieces Stroke by Stroke
An Austrian company is revolutionizing the art world by recreating iconic paintings using state-of-the-art laser scanning technology Now, art lovers can experience masterpieces firsthand and bring them into their own homes
Laser scanning advancements have revolutionized the way museums study and preserve paintings by meticulously mapping their surfaces' textures, colors, and dimensions. With this innovative technology and the valuable data it provides, Austrian printmaking company Lito Masters now offers art enthusiasts the opportunity to "live with a masterpiece."
Established in 2022, Lito Masters has collaborated with numerous prestigious museums to conduct in-depth scans of paintings by renowned artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Henri Matisse, and Wassily Kandinsky. Subsequently, it utilizes 3D-printing technology to produce faithful reproductions on canvas or paper, capturing every stroke and texture from the original works, including cracks, ridges, and imperfections.
"The limited-edition collectibles are essentially clones," said the company's co-founder, John Dodelande, in a video call with CNN. "You can see the relief, the brushstrokes—everything."
Marketed as a fresh approach to lithography, these collectibles are crafted to closely resemble the original masterpieces. However, even those unfamiliar with art can spot at least one significant contrast: the price.
A canvas replica of Van Gogh's "Bedroom in Arles," known to sell for nine-figure sums at auction, can be purchased for under $4,000. Reproductions of other works range from 450 euros ($493) for a small work on paper to 6,650 euros ($7,281) for a nearly life-size canvas version of a painting from René Magritte's "The Empire of Light" series, standing over 4 feet 9 inches tall.
Produced in limited batches of 150 to 999 editions per artwork, each reproduction includes a certificate of authenticity from the museum that owns the original painting.
A close-up shot shows the textured surface of Lito Masters' reproduction of Vincent van Gogh's "Bedroom in Arles."
LITO Masters
Lito's parent company holds the exclusive commercial license for a laser scanner commonly utilized by art institutions for research purposes. The scanning process, which at times involved paintings being scanned while hanging on museum walls, required up to six hours per square meter (10.8 square feet), according to Dodelande. He also mentioned that his team carried out their work during the museum's closing hours.
Making art accessible
The Musée de lOrangerie in Paris has announced a new collaboration with Lito Masters, who spent a week scanning Claude Monet's "Water Lilies" murals. The first offering from this partnership, launched on Tuesday, features small portions of the artworks reprinted as 900-square-centimeter (140-square inch) collectibles.
Museums can now offer souvenirs with more depth than traditional posters or prints, thanks to the commercialization of scanning technology. At the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, for example, visitors can purchase Lito Masters printed reproductions of Van Gogh works at the gift shop.
"Our goal is to allow visitors to take home a piece of their experience," explained Constance de Marliave, the museum's head of economic development, speaking to CNN via video call from Paris.
Title: The Fascinating Market for Replicas of Old Masters
Lito refused to reveal the percentage of sales that museums receive. However, while the company owns the scanning data, it allows museums to utilize it for their own scientific research.
The collaboration with the Musée d'Orsay has resulted in the museum showcasing an all-white rendition of Van Gogh's "The Church in Auvers-sur-Oise" in its newest exhibit, giving visitors the opportunity to appreciate the painting's texture and the artist's technique without the influence of color. "It's about offering a new perspective on the collection," said De Marliave.
The Austrian company spent a week scanning Claude Monet's "Water Liliies" murals at the Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris.
Lito intends to establish additional partnerships with museums and artists' estates, with upcoming offerings including works by Frida Kahlo and Tsuguharu Foujita, according to Dodelande. Additionally, the company's Lito Editions venture is collaborating with contemporary artists such as Erwin Wurm, Peter Halley, and Wang Guangle to create new works using their printing technology.
Lito Masters' head of cultural partnerships, Victoria Gandit Lelandais, envisions the reproductions being featured in exhibitions when the originals are not feasible to loan or transport. "A Lito could be sent to an artist's retrospective, so that it's complete," she told CNN. "Instead of sending the original and risking damage or incurring shipping costs, in the future, it could be more cost-effective and efficient to send a printed reproduction."
