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Arts & Communication Digital reconstitution of lost heritage

been damaged, lost or since destroyed, which makes their is expected to enhance academic research, enrich public
accurate inclusion in historical interior recreations dubious engagement with art history, and provide a replicable
considering past uses of technology. Furthermore, the model for similar projects in the future. Thus, the project
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historical veracity of the reconstitution of works from demonstrates the synergies of historical scholarship, digital
history that no longer exist is a complex and ongoing topic. technology, and artistic sensitivity, marking a significant
Historical reconstruction often faces challenges due to advancement in the field of digital heritage conservation
limited epistemic access to the deep past, as it lacks the ability and education.
to experimentally test hypothesized causal relationships The primary aim of this study is to explore the
among events. This limitation can lead to a lack of innovative application of AI in the digital reconstruction
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certainty and the potential for multiple interpretations of the ambiance of the Paris Art Salon, specifically focusing
of historical evidence. While there are various efforts on specific artworks. This endeavor seeks to bridge
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to reconstruct and understand lost historical artifacts the gap between traditional art historical research and
and events, the process is often limited by the available contemporary digital humanities by leveraging cutting-
evidence and the potential for multiple interpretations. edge AI technologies to offer a more immersive, accurate
The historical veracity of such reconstructions is a subject depiction of historical art environments. By reconstructing
of ongoing debate and scholarly inquiry. 29 not only the visual aspects of lost or damaged artworks but
The integration of advanced digital technologies, also their material textures and the overall ambiance of the
particularly AI, into the field of cultural heritage Salon, this study endeavors to provide a comprehensive
preservation offers a transformative solution to the understanding and appreciation of the cultural and
challenges historically faced in reconstructing damaged educational significance of these historical spaces. This
or lost artworks. The limitations inherent in previous approach underscores the potential of digital technologies
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3D modeling methods, coupled with the subjective to significantly advance the field of cultural heritage
interpretations of historical sources and the significant loss preservation, offering new methodologies for academic
or damage to many artworks from the 1785 Salon, have research, enhancing public engagement with art history,
necessitated a shift toward more innovative and reliable and serving as a model for future digital reconstruction
approaches in reconstituting these cultural treasures. projects.
Thus, this study aims to digitally resurrect the 1785 Salon
with an unprecedented level of historical accuracy and 2. Literature review
material fidelity. The process begins with the assembly of The field of digital preservation within cultural heritage,
diverse references and high-resolution scans to replicate examined through the lenses of digital art history and
the architectural and decorative elements of the Salon digital humanities, remains a burgeoning area of study, as
accurately, including using Quixel Megascans for texture evidenced by recent academic contributions. The initial
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replication and incorporating specific artistic inspirations steps in digitizing cultural artifacts and spaces began in the
to achieve historical authenticity in aspects such as room early 2000s, primarily within academic and institutional
drapery. circles. Early initiatives, like those by the Foundation of
In terms of painting selections, the study focuses on both the Hellenic World, employed Computer-Assisted Virtual
documented and AI-generated visualizations of artworks, Environment technologies to construct digital versions of
like those of French artists Jean-Joseph Taillasson (1745- ancient sites. A notable instance is the digital reconstruction
1809) and Antoine Vestier (1740 – 1824), ensuring scale of Miletus, an ancient city with a history of Athenian and
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accuracy and historical verisimilitude. In addition, the Roman rule. Following these early projects, the relevance
painting materials aspect involves sophisticated techniques of such technologies to museums and heritage sectors
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such as embossing and normal map generation to recreate gained recognition, as highlighted by Roussou, who
the material properties of these paintings within a virtual described the approach as a form of “edutainment.”
reality setting, using the Unreal Engine for integration. Other examples from the early 2000s of digitizing
The significance of this research lies in its potential to cultural heritage artifacts and sites include the use of 3D
enhance our understanding and appreciation of historical digitization technologies such as photogrammetry and
artworks. Through the application of AI and digital LIDAR scanning in museums and cultural heritage fields.
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technologies, the study not only confronts the challenges In addition, the digitization of cultural and heritage
of past reconstruction efforts but also promises to deliver a content, including historical documents, artifacts, and
richer, more accurate cultural and educational experience. images, began to be commonplace across the heritage
This innovative approach to cultural heritage preservation sector in this period, often for putting into institutional

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2024) 3 doi: 10.36922/ac.2719