Client Overview
Hannah Gilmartin is a private individual who inherited her grandmother’s portfolio of fine art. This collection included a mix of original artworks and approximately 100 archived transparencies, requiring preservation and digitisation to honor and potentially share her grandmother’s artistic legacy.
The Challenge
Hannah approached us with the following request:
“Hi there, I have ~100 fine art transparencies I have inherited from my grandmother’s portfolio that I am looking to digitise. The transparencies are approx. 9cm by 7cm. I would like to understand what condition they are in and what scale we could print them to.”
Additionally, Hannah needed approximately 30 original artworks of varying sizes reproduced.
The project’s key challenges included:
- Scanning and processing a total of 165 items within a tight, one month deadline.
- Managing the diverse media, from transparencies with varying color casts to original artworks of multiple sizes.
- Developing efficient workflows to handle large batches while ensuring color accuracy and fidelity to the originals.
The Solution
To meet Hannah’s needs, we employed two specialised scanning methods:
1. Flatbed Scanning for Transparencies:
Each transparency exhibited distinct color casts, requiring us to develop a custom scanning profile. This ensured the scans closely matched the original artworks' colors when converted from their transparency format.
2. Camera Scanning for Original Artworks:
Using our high resolution camera scanning service, we accommodated the diverse sizes of the artworks while maintaining consistent quality.
By tailoring workflows to handle large batches and applying individual corrections, we balanced efficiency with precision.
The Process
1. Scanning and Profiling:
- Transparencies were scanned and corrected for their unique color casts using custom profiles.
- Artworks were digitised with our camera scanner, accommodating a wide variety of dimensions.
2. Proofing and Corrections:
- We produced proof prints for each item, visually comparing and correcting colors to ensure fidelity to the original artworks as they would have appeared when first archived.
3. File Delivery and Archiving:
- High resolution digital files were delivered to Hannah, along with low resolution JPEGs for ease of viewing.
- Files were securely archived on our servers to provide a backup in case of future data loss.
The Result
Hannah was delighted with the proof prints and the final digital files, which captured her grandmother’s work with exceptional clarity and accuracy. The project provided Hannah with a preserved digital archive of her grandmother’s artistic legacy.
In addition to the files, she now has the peace of mind that her collection is securely stored with us for future access. Inspired by the results, Hannah expressed interest in selling her grandmother’s artworks and even considered publishing some pieces, though this has not yet materialised.
Feedback
Although we did not receive a formal testimonial, Hannah expressed her satisfaction with the project and our service, noting the quality of the files and the care taken to preserve her grandmother’s legacy.
Preserve Your Legacy with Fine Art Solutions
Whether you’re looking to digitise a cherished collection, reproduce original artworks, or ensure your family’s artistic legacy is safely archived, Fine Art Solutions is here to help. With our expert scanning and colour correction services, we’ll bring your treasured pieces into the digital age with care and precision.
Contact us today to discuss your project and learn how we can help transform your collection into a lasting digital archive.