2025 Poster Session

A hanging scroll displaying a 1935 painting of a horse by the Chinese artist Xu Beihong was gifted to the Yale University Art Gallery in 1940. The painting is in what is likely its original mounting, set against a deep purple silk brocade. However, at some point the left lower turned horn roller knob became detached from the scroll and disassociated with the object. For its upcoming display at the Gallery, several replacement options were considered. Both knobs could be removed and new knobs acquired. This option was limited by the fact that the extant knob is adhered to the wooden dowel, making safe removal difficult. A new, similar knob could be acquired that matched as close as possible. A third option was pursued - to imitate the extant knob using 3D imaging and printing technology. Photogrammetry was chosen as the 3D imaging technique. The high gloss surface of the knob presented a challenge but using cross polarized light led to a successful scan. The empty dowel on the left side of the scroll was also 3D imaged in order to create a negative space in the final model and create a snug fit for the replacement knob. The two scans were refined and combined using open source 3D modeling software. The resulting model was 3D printed at the Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (IPCH) Digitization lab. A Formlabs Form 2 stereolithography (SLA) printer, which uses a UV laser to cure liquid resin layer by layer into hard plastic, was used to print the model in black photopolymer resin. The print is sandable and paintable. The print was faux finished using acrylic paints and gloss medium. The knob was then pressure fit onto the scroll, resulting in a visually satisfying integration for display.