Claesz Unveiled

Delicate textures and intricate elements that would otherwise remain imperceptible: a new digital exploration interface uncovers the details of Pieter Claesz’s still lifes – presented at Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Universalmuseum Joanneum, and Kunst Museum Winterthur.

Claesz Unveiled is a joint project of Kaiserschild Foundation and Ars Electronica Futurelab. The interactive exhibit invites visitors to explore the masterpieces in unprecedented detail. Installed directly beneath the original paintings, the installation creates a powerful connection between the physical artwork and its digital counterpart.

“Pieter Claesz: Stillleben” – Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, 2025; photo: KHM-Museumsverband

To create this immersive experience, three paintings were photographed in high resolution through numerous individual shots, which were then stitched together into a massive gigapixel image of about five billion pixels. This technology enables users to zoom in to an extraordinary level of detail, revealing delicate textures, hidden reflections, and intricate elements that would otherwise remain imperceptible. Alongside these visual discoveries, the installation provides rich contextual insights into the symbolism, materials, and artistic techniques of the 17th century, offering a deeper understanding of each painting.

The installation will be presented at three different locations, Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Universalmuseum Joanneum, and Kunst Museum Winterthur. It creates a dynamic dialogue between the physical and the digital – connecting centuries-old masterpieces with cutting-edge technology. It invites visitors to look beyond the surface, uncover the unseen, and experience the full complexity and beauty of Claesz’s still lifes like never before.