Arius Technology Commences Landmark Digital Preservation of Galleria Borghese: A Digital Birthday Gift to Rome
Arius Technology, a leader in ultra-high-resolution 3D scanning and digital preservation, is proud to announce the commencement of a landmark cultural heritage partnership with the Galleria Borghese in Rome. Starting on April 20, 2026, Arius will begin capturing the forensic DNA and create “digital twins” of some of the world’s most significant Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces, using its proprietary ADMF™ (Art Digital Master File) technology.
Through this partnership, Arius will support the Galleria’s commitment to conservation, accessibility, and long-term cultural preservation through the creation of high-fidelity ‘digital twins’ of selected works in their permanent collection. This partnership will leverage Arius’ proprietary optical scanning technology, by simultaneously capturing the topography, structural integrity, and material nuance of these masterpieces with ten-micron precision. This immutable digital DNA will be an enduring asset for forensic documentation, research, advanced conservation, and high-fidelity interpretive initiatives.
The Texture of Genius: Unlocking Fontana, Bernini, Caravaggio and Raphael
The Galleria Borghese houses the world’s highest concentration of works by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Caravaggio. While traditional photography often loses the subtle nuances of Caravaggio’s heavy chiaroscuro and layered oils, Arius’ technology can map the exact topography of these strokes. This reveals the artist’s physical "hand" in a way that has not been visible since the 17th century.
High-priority pieces for the initial phase include:
Lavinia Fontana’s Portrait of a Youth: This refined portrait, painted in 1606, captures a young man who turns toward the observer, engaging in a dialogue through his eyes. The scanning process will allow for the preservation of its vivid naturalism and unique technique.
Lavinia Fontana’s The Infant Jesus Asleep: A small-format variation of the well-known painting with the Holy Family of the Escorial, Arius’ technology will capture Fontana’s complex iconographic structure, modelled on works by Raffaello and Michelangelo.
The "Monday Window": Operational Precision
The project is set to begin on Monday, April 20, 2026, a date selected to coincide with the museum’s weekly closure, providing an uninterrupted data-capture period. This allows the Arius team to deploy their Moneta mobile scanner with maximum efficiency, while ensuring the visitor flow of the Galleria remains undisturbed.
A Digital Birthday Gift to Rome
The timeline of this project also coincides with April 21, Natale di Roma (the Birthday of Rome). On the city’s 2,779th anniversary, Arius positions itself as a digital guardian of Roman heritage.
“On the eve of Rome's founding, we are using the world's most advanced laser technology to ensure that the city's greatest masterpieces never age. We aren't just taking pictures; we are capturing the physical brushstrokes and sculptural topography of Fontana, Bernini and Caravaggio.” said Marco Antonio Soriano, CEO of Arius Technology Europa Italia Srl.
The "Digital Seed Bank" and Accessibility
Beyond critical documentation for condition reporting, this project serves three critical pillars of cultural diplomacy:
The Digital Seed Bank: The scans create an "immutable digital DNA record," providing a precise blueprint for restoration should a masterpiece ever be damaged by environmental factors or transit.
Democratising the Masterpiece: These high-fidelity scans can even be used by Arius to create textured replications, which can be touched by the visually impaired or exhibited in remote areas, bringing the Borghese experience to those unable to travel to Rome.
Innovation as Conservation: The low-power laser technology used by the Moneta scanner is safer for the artworks than standard museum lighting, proving that cutting-edge innovation is the new frontier of conservation.
As Arius continues to expand its work with leading cultural institutions across Europe, the partnership with Galleria Borghese marks another important step in advancing the protection and accessibility of historic collections through world-class digitisation.
With a shared belief that the preservation of cultural heritage must evolve alongside technological innovation, the partnership aims to help safeguard masterpieces for future generations while expanding new possibilities for study, engagement, and responsible access.
About Arius Technology
Arius Technology, headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, and Milan, Italy, with offices in London and New York, is the leading innovator in high-resolution colour 3D scanning for the preservation, tokenisation, and reproduction of fine art. Originally designed to forensically scan the Mona Lisa, the technology has evolved to provide an immutable bridge between the Physical and Digital world. Arius is utilised by leading museums and global art collectors to digitally safeguard works of art and make them accessible through digital archives, research platforms, and high-fidelity prints. Arius redefines how collectors, institutions, and the public experience and interact with cultural heritage in the 21st century.
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