Unveiling History: Westminster Abbey’s New 3D Project for Henry VII’s Funeral Effigy Head
Introduction to a Fascinating Project
Westminster Abbey, a historical monument steeped in royal significance, is embarking on an innovative project to advance our understanding of its artifacts using groundbreaking 3D technology. The focus of this endeavor is the funeral effigy head of Henry VII, the first Tudor monarch and father to the notorious Henry VIII. Last scanned in the 1980s, this new initiative in collaboration with the digital heritage studio ThinkSee 3D aims to delve deeper into the creation process of this remarkable artifact.
The Masterpiece Behind the Mask
The funeral effigy head is believed to be crafted by the Italian Renaissance sculptor Pietro Torrigiano, who arrived in England after abandoning his roots in Florence around 1509-10. The head is celebrated for its startling realism, standing out as one of the most captivating items displayed at The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries within the Abbey. This project not only seeks to illuminate the techniques used in its craftsmanship but also to enhance our appreciation of Torrigiano’s artistry.
A Legacy of Lifelike Results
Research conducted in the 1980s suggested that Torrigiano likely utilized a model derived from a death mask of Henry VII to achieve the effigy’s lifelike attributes. A death mask is a likeness, often made from wax or plaster, created by casting the face of the deceased shortly after death. Historical documentation indicates that these masks played a pivotal role in the crafting of funeral effigies, serving as a point of reference for artists like Torrigiano.
The effigy head is the sole surviving feature of Henry VII’s original effigy, which adorned his coffin. Composed of straw and wood and padded with hay, the complete effigy once exhibited a canvas cover adorned with plaster. However, during the water damage from the Blitz in World War II, the effigy disintegrated, leaving only the head as a remnant. Henry VII is interred beneath an ornate tomb in the Abbey’s Lady Chapel, which was also the design work of Torrigiano—a testament to the sculptor’s talent.
The gilt bronze effigies of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York on their tomb in the Abbey’s Lady Chapel
High-Resolution 3D Modeling Techniques
The scanning process orchestrated by ThinkSee 3D employs a sophisticated technique known as photogrammetry. This method involves capturing numerous high-quality digital photographs of the effigy from various angles. The photogrammetry software analyzes the photographs and identifies distinct surface features, interpreting their positional shifts from one image to another. Through triangulation, this software can quantify the depth of each feature, creating an intricate 3D model of the object.
Once the surface details are defined, the digital model can be enhanced with photographic textures, resulting in a lifelike representation of the original artifact. A specialized camera equipped with filters captures hundreds of images during the scanning process, which are subsequently processed into a high-resolution digital model.
The anticipated results of this advanced scanning technique are set to be unveiled later this year. Researchers hope this project will establish a concrete link between the death mask of Henry VII and the artistry of Torrigiano.
Broader Insights and Collaborations
In addition to the effigy head, the ongoing project includes scanning Henry VII’s and Elizabeth of York’s tomb and a terracotta bust of Henry VII housed in the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A). This comprehensive study aims to enrich our understanding of Early Tudor art and its historical context.
Dr. Susan Jenkins, the Abbey’s Curator, shares enthusiasm for the findings, noting, “Visitors to the Abbey’s Galleries are fascinated by how life-like Henry VII’s funeral effigy head is. We now hope to prove that sculptor Pietro Torrigiano moulded it from the same death mask that he used for the V&A’s contemporaneous terracotta bust of the king and his magnificent gilt-bronze tomb monument in the Lady Chapel at Westminster Abbey.”
This ambitious collaboration highlights a commitment to intertwining history with modern technology, ensuring that the legacy of key Tudor figures like Henry VII continues to captivate and educate future generations.
Further Reading
For those intrigued by the project, more information can be found in the following articles:
- Henry VII and Elizabeth of York
- New collaboration reveals secrets of the effigies
This is not just an exploration of a historical artifact; it is an invitation to connect with the past through technology, illuminating the artistry and craft of an era long gone.
