Self-portrait by Vincent Van Gogh gets recreated with 3D printing thanks to collaboration between Custom Prototypes and the Van Gogh Studio.

Since 1994, the Van Gogh Studio in Amsterdam has been cranking out oil painting reproductions of the work of — who else? — Dutch post-impressionist Vincent Van Gogh. A team of artists can carefully replicate his painting technique, complete with thick brushstrokes and colorful dollops of paint. Today, the studio has a stable of 89 authentic reproductions which are sold all over the world.

But what would happen if traditional art production was merged with a 3D printed canvas? Something quite special, it turns out. Toronto-based 3D printing company Custom Prototypes collaborated with the Van Gogh Studio to add a new dimension to a classic piece of art.

The process began when Custom Prototypes scanned and created a 3D file of Van Gogh’s “Self-portrait with Grey Felt Hat”. Next, they fabricated it with an SLA (sterolithographic) 3D printer at their workshop in Toronto. The use of a large format, high definition SLA machine is key in reproducing the texture of the original painting’s surface.

Once complete, the precious cargo is sent to the studio in Amsterdam for painting and finishing. The finished result is a remarkable piece of work which captures the authenticity of the original, thanks to the unique depth provided by 3D printing.

Vincent Van Gogh is Popular Inspiration for 3D Printing

Though they may seem an unlikely pairing, this isn’t the first time that the Dutch artist and 3D printing technologies have come together.

Last year, Custom Prototypes caused a sensation with their 3D printed reproduction of another of Van Gogh’s works, “Starry Night“. The techniques employed were the same as before; a high resolution image of the painting led to the creation of a CAD file of the canvas.

Elsewhere, a more outlandish project used a sample of Van Gogh’s DNA to bioprint a replica of his ear. The left one, which he supposedly cut off during a psychotic episode in his later life. Moreover, the ear was wired up to electronic equipment that could actually “listen” and “hear” the sounds around it. Read the full story here: 3D Bioprinting the Lost Ear of Vincent van Gogh

Here’s looking forward to more examples of additive manufacturing bringing new, exciting interpretations of iconic works in art and culture. Taking a quick poll here in the office last thing on a Friday afternoon, we nominate ”The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living” by Damien Hirst.

Source: Custom Prototypes