Scientists managed to get a picture of “New Rembrandt”, printed with a 3D printer.

It’s no longer a novelty 3D printers. The opportunities that have emerged in connection with the invention of this device are virtually limitless. With his help, people have learned to build houses, create sculptural objects, dentures and even grow living organs. So, on the basis of a biological gel taken from donor cells, scientists managed to grow a skin site, and later – a live kidney. But this does not end with the “miracles of engineering”. In connection with the latest achievement in this field, now it is possible to call it art. Recently, with the help of such a printer, a picture was created, which was called “The New Rembrandt.”

Creating an artificial masterpiece

For eighteen months, the research team was engaged in this unusual project. They analyzed the work of Rembrandt in order to obtain data that determines his characteristic style. Various portraits were studied. Particular attention was paid to important details – the image of the eyes, nose, lips, chin, folds of clothing. With the help of various algorithms, it was possible to determine the specifics of the artist’s performance. Brush strokes have their own trajectory, length and depth, relief. In addition to the details, the composition and geometry of 346 works of the author were carefully studied.

The result was a picture (148 million pixels), depicting a man. The portrait is completely executed in the style of the great artist. At first glance, “you recognize the hand of the master.” So much similar to the selected tone, also specifically outlined eyes. “Masterpiece” was perfect. Due to thirteen layers of printing, even the relief of strokes is visible. In general, the picture is impressive in that there is a complete impression that this is just one of the new works of the famous artist. The new Rembrandt, of course, is likely to succumb to criticism from the defenders of true art, but progress in science will please those who are close.

Bas Korsten argues that the goal of this project was a more correct understanding of the painter. He says that in no case was it the task to copy the artist’s works, or to try to devalue his talent, as something that even a machine can perform.