Digital Blog

Follow the Digital Team on our adventures through digitisation and as we make our Collections accessible online.

Preparing objects for digitisation

25 Feb 2020

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Setting Up Our Studio

22 Jan 2020

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How can a digital file become a digital asset?

14 Nov 2019

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Why digitise?

31 Oct 2019

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Nearly two and a half years ago we completed completely in-house imaging of the Coetivy Hours, the first object from our collection to be digitised. This physically small manuscript proved to be an out-sized challenge to digitise and forced us to develop and use a number of techniques, some of which we still use today. This is why we think it is the perfect object to start our digital highlights series where we will show some of the highlights of our accessible digital collection and talk about many of the challenges we faced while photographing them as well as the techniques we used to overcome these challenges. .
The object .
The Coëtivy Hours is a masterpiece of fifteenth-century illumination. It was produced in Paris (1443-1445) for Prigent de Coëtivy, bibliophile and Admiral of France, to mark the occasion of his marriage to Marie de Rais. Made from parchment, the manuscript comprises 364 folios, each illuminated with decorative borders. In addition, it includes 148 three-quarter page miniatures painted in demi-grisaille. Using this technique, the figures are for the most part rendered in a limited palette of white with occasional hints of colours and gold. .
The digitisation .
The biggest challenge we faced while digitising the Coetivy Hours was dealing with the exquisite illuminations contained within its pages. We needed to light the page in such a way that the colours would be accurately reproduced, but also, that the gold illumination would show its grandeur. To do this we used two Profoto flashes with 1.2mx1m softboxes and effectively created a light tent above the camera and the object. This technique created an even light source that allowed for excellent reflections off the gold. We have since moved away from this technique though as it is very direct and can cause some interference with colour accuracy. .
#chesterbeattydigitisation #culturalhistory
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@chester_beatty_dublin

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Due to the advice of the Irish public health authorities and to protect the health of our visitors and staff, the Chester Beatty will be closed to the public from 5:30pm, 12 March 2020 until further notice. .
Updates will be posted on our website and social media channels
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Our collections as well as virtual tours of the museum can be accessed through our website. See our bio for the link.

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This Armenian manuscript required some re-numbering as part of our pre-digitisation checks. Check out our newest blog on preparing objects for digitisation (link in bio).
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CBL Arm 578 is now on display in our Sacred Traditions gallery.
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#chesterbeattydigitisation #chesterbeatty #culturalhistory #digitisation #armenian #manuscript @chester_beatty_dublin

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One of the great perks of working in digitisation is that you get to see sides of the objects that aren't exhibited to the public. Here, looking at the reverse of a Burmese folded book (CBL Bu 1203) allows you to see the intriguing patterns the pigment has made as it seeped through the page. .
#chesterbeatty #chesterbeattydigitisation #culturalhistory #burmesefoldingbook @chester_beatty_dublin @chesterbeattyconservation

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A new year with old challenges. One of the recurring difficulties of the digitisation of cultural heritage objects is how to deal with reflective materials such as gold. As can be seen from these images the lighting of gold can greatly change the feel, and sometimes even the meaning, of a shot. This year we have started to revisit how we light illuminated manuscripts and objects so keep an eye on our blog (link in bio) in the coming months for a description of how we light these objects and why.
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#chesterbeattydigitisation #digitisation #culturalhistory #illumination #manuscripts

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Happy World Arabic Language Day! To celebrate here is a beautiful illuminated folio from a 14th century Qur'an (CBL Is 1476). In the image a quotation frames the geometric panels, praising the book as a “Revelation"... “in clear Arabic speech”.
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We recently digitised it prior to putting it on display. If you're in Dublin why not drop by and see the actual manuscript. #arabic #unitednationsday #worldarabiclanguageday #chesterbeattydigitisation @moyacarey

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These are the ghostly remains of an Armenian manuscript folio on its former glass housing. Happy Friday the 13th everyone! #chesterbeattydigitisation #chesterbeatty #digitisation @chesterbeattyconservation

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Earlier this year we spent a number of months digitising our wonderful collection of Thai folding books. These manuscripts date to the 18th and 19th centuries and presented a unique challenge due to their concertina like form. To digitise them we needed to use foam blocks to balance the heights of either end allowing the objects to sit safely. .
A selection of the these books are on display in our temporary exhibition, "Thai Buddhist Tales: Stories along the Path to Enlightenment". Although if you can't visit our physical premises why not take a virtual walkthrough on our website. The link is in our bio. .
#chesterbeatty #thaifoldingbooks #culturalhistory #digitisation #museumlife #behindthescenes

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Here we are positioning a Japanese handscroll entitled, Handscroll entitled 'Verses from the Benchūhenron sutra' for digitisation.
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This scroll was written and painted in gold and silver on paper dyed with indigo, made in Japan between 1117 and 1126. With its alternating columns of gold and silver script, this scroll is considered to be one of a group of scrolls known as the Chūsonji-kyō: a compilation of Buddhist religious texts and regulations commissioned by the warlord Fujiwara no Kiyohira (1056–1128) for dedication to the temple of Chūsonji in northern Japan. The frontispiece painting shows Shakyamuni preaching on Vulture Peak. .
#chesterbeatty #digitisation #handscroll #japanese #culturalhistory #museum

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Chester Beatty
Dublin Castle
Dublin 2
D02 AD92