The Louvre Museum in Paris is once again partnering with Snapchat to offer visitors a new way to experience its collection, leveraging augmented reality (AR) to unlock hidden details and restore lost elements of six iconic masterpieces. The initiative, titled ‘The Incredible Unknowns of the Louvre,’ launched on , builds upon a previous AR pilot program focused on Egyptian antiquities in .
Bringing History to Life with AR
The collaboration between the Musée du Louvre and Snap’s AR Studio Paris allows museum-goers to use their smartphones to interact with artworks in a novel way. By scanning a QR code displayed on the artwork’s label, visitors can access an AR experience that reveals details obscured by time or damage, offering a glimpse into the original appearance and context of these historical artifacts. The experience is free to use for all visitors.
The six works selected for this initial phase represent a diverse range of historical periods and artistic styles. They include:
- The Code of Hammurabi: This nearly complete basalt stele, containing almost 282 legal provisions decreed by Hammurabi, King of Babylon in the 18th century BC, can be “decoded” through AR, revealing the significance of its ancient legal principles, including the famous “an eye for an eye” concept.
- The Bust of Akhenaten: Originally housed in the Karnak Temple, this colossal sculpture of the pharaoh Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten) is brought back to its original vibrancy through AR, restoring the colors that have faded over centuries.
- Portrait of Anne of Cleves: Painted by Hans Holbein the Younger, this 16th-century portrait of a German princess is revealed to contain hidden messages and artistic techniques discoverable via the AR experience.
- The Kore of Samos: This marble statue, offered to the goddess Hera in her sanctuary on the island of Samos, once vividly painted, now appears in its original colorful glory thanks to the AR application.
- The Four Captives: A fragment from the pedestal of the statue of King Louis XIV at Place des Victoires in Paris, melted down during the French Revolution, is digitally reconstructed through AR.
- Oval ‘Rusticware’ Dish: This ceramic dish, created by Bernard Palissy, a master ceramicist working in Paris in the mid-16th century, showcases the artist’s inventive techniques, which are highlighted through the AR experience.
How the Technology Works
The AR experience is powered by Snap’s AR Studio Paris, leveraging the capabilities of Snapchat’s augmented reality platform. The process is straightforward: visitors scan the QR code associated with a specific artwork. This triggers the AR experience within the Snapchat app, overlaying digital information and reconstructions onto the real-world view of the artwork through the smartphone’s camera. The AR Studio collaborated closely with Louvre curators, utilizing archival records and the latest academic research to ensure the accuracy and educational value of the experience.
Louvre’s Continued Embrace of AR
This isn’t the Louvre’s first foray into augmented reality. The initial pilot program in focused on Egyptian antiquities, demonstrating the museum’s commitment to exploring innovative ways to engage visitors. The expansion to six departments signifies a broader strategy to integrate AR as a core component of the museum experience. The museum views AR not merely as a novelty, but as a powerful tool for interpretation and education, allowing visitors to connect with artworks on a deeper level.
Snapchat’s Role in Cultural Heritage
For Snapchat, the partnership with the Louvre represents a continued effort to position its AR platform as a valuable resource for cultural institutions. Snap’s AR Studio has been actively developing AR experiences for museums and historical sites, recognizing the potential of the technology to enhance visitor engagement and accessibility. The company’s investment in AR Studio Paris underscores its commitment to this space. The collaboration allows Snapchat to showcase the practical applications of its AR technology beyond social media filters and entertainment, demonstrating its potential for educational and cultural enrichment.
Implications and Future Potential
The ‘Incredible Unknowns of the Louvre’ project highlights a growing trend in the museum world: the adoption of AR and other immersive technologies to enhance the visitor experience. This approach offers several benefits. It can provide context and information that would be difficult or impossible to convey through traditional museum displays. It can also make art more accessible to a wider audience, particularly those who may not have a strong background in art history.
Looking ahead, the Louvre and Snapchat may expand the AR experience to include additional artworks and departments. Further development could incorporate more interactive elements, such as virtual reconstructions of entire historical settings or the ability to “step inside” a painting. The success of this collaboration could also inspire other museums to adopt similar AR initiatives, transforming the way we experience art and culture.
