IN-PERSON: Prague – Section A

Abstract

The book by Bohumil Teplý “O socharské reprodukci” can still be seen as a standard work on the reproduction techniques of stone sculptures. And not only in the Czech Republic, where the book was first published in 1973, but, after the translation by Franz Pechwitz in 1980, also in Germany . This almost half-century of actuality of the work is explained by its large scope, which covers a wide range of techniques, from the beginnings of stone sculpture in the Stone Age to the second half of the 20th century. However, the reproduction techniques of recent times, based on the rapidly developing 3D technology, which of course did not yet play a role at the time of the book’s publication, have not yet been adequately covered in this context. Yet this technology has already been used for more than 20 years in the reproduction of works of art in stone. The following contribution can by no means completely fill this gap. Therefore, only some aspects of traditional reproduction methods will be discussed here. Surprisingly, these centuries-old techniques have many elements that play a key role in the application of 3D technology in reproduction. The paper therefore also outlines the application of this modern technology, particularly in the field of reproduction in stone conservation, bridging the gap between traditional methods and the possibilities of reproduction in today’s heritage preservation.