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Arts & Communication Digital reconstitution of lost heritage

Figure 5. AI reproduction of Antoine Vestier, La nonchalante, tenant une brochure, prête à lui échapper de la main, 1785. (Left) AI-generated image of
Vestier’s painting. (Center) Bump map from the original picture. (Right) Normal map generated from the bump map. Imagery created with Unreal Engine
5 and Quixel Megascans.

necessitates a dialogue about maintaining reverence for the
original works and their creators. The act of bringing back
to life artworks like Vestier’s La nonchalante underscores
the capacity of technology to bridge gaps in cultural
heritage. However, this process must be approached with
a deep respect for the historical context and the artistic
integrity of the original creations.
Moreover, the project confronts the dilemma of the
influence of popular culture on funding and attention in
cultural heritage. There exists a tension between the need
to engage a wider audience through digital recreations
and the risk of commodifying cultural heritage. This
Figure 6. Taillasson’s reproduction and AI-generated version of Vestier’s issue is particularly pertinent in light of examples like
painting in the VR Salon scene. Materials were generated using the Monash University’s recreation of Angkor Wat, Virtual
normal maps. Specular, metallic and roughness values were all adjusted to Angkor (https://sensilab.monash.edu/research/virtual-
give the artwork more of an oil painting glossiness inside of the scene. The
modified Quixel Megascan is shown in the background. Imagery created angkor/), representing a civilization only accessible
with Unreal Engine 5 and Quixel Megascans with permission. through secondhand descriptions. A significant ethical
consideration arises when attempting to recreate lost works
and understanding of cultural heritage but also enhance without any images or reference points. The use of AI in
the accessibility and engagement of modern audiences these circumstances risks producing reconstructions that
with historical art. Moving forward, the integration of may not align with the period style or aesthetics, leading to
these approaches will be crucial in the ongoing efforts to fictionalized versions of history. This concern emphasizes
protect, study, and celebrate our rich cultural past. the need for rigorous research and a deep understanding of
the historical context in which these artworks were created.
6. Conclusions Given these complexities, the study recommends
The endeavor to digitally reconstruct the 1785 Salon the establishment of a new subfield within art history:
within the project encapsulates a pivotal advancement in Reconstituting Period Materialities for the Period Eye. This
the realm of digital humanities and art history, interfacing proposed discipline would focus on the meticulous digital
with cutting-edge technological innovation. This initiative, recreation of historical artworks and environments, ensuring
however, raises crucial considerations around the balance that they are not only visually accurate but also contextually
between awareness and reverence, the ethics of monetizing and culturally faithful to their original periods. This subfield
cultural heritage, and the potential pitfalls in reconstructing would serve as a nexus of technological prowess, historical
lost works without sufficient reference points. Thus, the acumen, and ethical mindfulness, guiding future endeavors
success of the project in employing advanced image editing, in cultural heritage preservation toward more informed and
AI-driven reconstruction, and photogrammetry highlights respectful reconstructions of our past.
the significant potential of technology in resurrecting lost The implications of employing AI and photogrammetry
or damaged artworks with remarkable accuracy. Yet, it also in art reconstruction extend beyond technical achievement;

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2024) 9 doi: 10.36922/ac.2719