Services

Photography of artworks

We have state-of-the-art equipment to take photographs of paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures and installations – either at our spacious studio or on your own premises. Our specialist skills are not confined to reproductions. We also have the technical expertise to examine works closely with the aid of expanded spectrum photography, photogrammetry and reflectance transformation imaging. We can supply the images as files in a range of formats, naming them in accordance with your chosen system, on the medium of your choice or as colour prints. 

Digital reproductions with very high resolution: unknown artist, Porträt des Freiherrn Hektor von Buol (detail), undated, oil on canvas, 85 x 75 cm

Colour accuracy to meet Metamorfoze guidelines (ISO 19264-1): Max Buri, Mädchen mit Puppe (detail), 1908, oil on canvas, 50 x 34 cm

Taken in our studio or at your chosen venue: Dave Bopp, Debris, 2020, mixed media, 205 x 170 cm

Raking light photography as groundwork  for restoration: Cuno Amiet, Das gelbe Kind (detail), 1912, oil on canvas, © D. Thalmann, Aarau, Switzerland

Raking light image: unknown artist, Jungenbildnis, undated, oil on canvas, 29.4 x 24 cm

Digital reproduction: unknown artist, Jungenbildnis, undated, oil on canvas, 29.4 x 24 cm

Infrared spectroscopy for scientific evaluation: Ferdinand Hodler, Die Empfindung, 1901–1902, oil on canvas, 193 x 280.5 cm

UV fluorescence imaging for scientific analysis: Ferdinand Hodler, Die Empfindung, 1901–1902, oil on canvas, 193 x 280.5 cm

Photogrammetry, 3D scanning and visualisation: unknown artist, Madonna Figur, 1970s, wood carving, height: 46 cm

High resolution orthomosaic, drone image: Augusto Giacometti, Weltkarte (detail), 1931, fresco, 9.5 x 17.4 m

Digitisation of analogue photographic media. Transparent media from 35mm to 8x10” with very high resolution and IT8 colour accuracy. 35mm slide positive: Varlin, Bahnstation in Territet, 1936–1944, oil on canvas

35mm slide positive: Varlin, Gebäude, c.1946, oil on jute, 70 x 190 cm

Consultancy for digitisation project management: Augusto Giacometti, Rosen auf gelbem Grund, 1943, 19 x 24 cm

Our services include:

  • digital reproductions of two- and three-dimensional artworks with extremely high resolution and accurate colour rendering to meet ISO 19264-1 standards
  • high-resolution digitisation of letters, documents, sketchbooks and other paper objects to meet ISO 19265-1 standards
  • digitisation of transparent analogue photographic media such as colour and black-and-white negatives or slides with very high quality and IT 8 colour calibration
  • raking light photography to identify brush technique, damage or later retouching in paintings 
  • non-visible imaging including infrared reflectography, infrared transmission and ultraviolet luminescence to identify underdrawings, alterations and materials used in artworks (IR and UV imaging only in conjunction with all-round analysis by our art technology department) 
  • high-resolution 3D photogrammetry for three-dimensional objects and distortion-free orthophotos for mapping, surveying and virtual analysis of artworks to meet any texture specifications 
  • reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI), computer-aided visualisation to enhance the visibility of surface properties
  • high-resolution 2D and 3D drone imagery for inspection and mapping of poorly accessible objects outdoors and indoors to meet any texture specifications
  • consultancy and project support for the digitisation of collections and artistic estates 

We will be happy to advise you and to send you a cost estimate. We look forward to your enquiry.

Scientific photography (annual report 2021)


Contact

Martin Stollenwerk, Head of Photography
T +41 44 388 51 75; photography@sik-isea.ch
Appointments by arrangement