Nigulise kirik, Niguliste 3, Tallinn
Algus k.p.:
14.05.2014
Lõpp k.p.:
18.05.2014
The retable of St Nicholas’ Church in Tallinn is one of the most magnificent and best preserved late medieval Northern German altarpieces in Europe. The artwork was commissioned from the workshop of the Lübeck master Hermen Rode and was completed between 1478 and 1481. More than forty saints and biblical figures are depicted in the retable and its dimensions place it among the largest retables from the 15th-century Hanseatic cities. The conservation of the high altar of St Nicholas’ Church took place from 1975 to 1992 and was lead by Nikolai Bregman, the leading restorer then in Soviet Union from Moscow. Although majority of the restoration was accomplished, the elaborate sculptures of the retable have only partly been conserved by today.
The large-scale project initiated by Art Museum of Estonia is focused on the finalizing the conservation works of the altarpiece. The conservation project gives an excellent opportunity to carry out thorough technical research, to compare the results with other works attributed to Hermen Rode and to put the information in a wider context.
Dates
- Wed, May 14 : eCult Dialogue Day
- Thurs, May 15: Rode Imaging Seminar
- Fri, May 16: Rode Imaging Workshop
- Sat, Sun, May 17,18: Rode Imaging Hackathon
Venue
- May 14: Art Museum of Estonia / KUMU
- May 15-18: St. Nicholas’ Church, Tallinn, Estonia
Confirmed Speakers
- Andres Uueni / The Foundation of Estonian Open Air Museum, Conservation Centre Kanut
- Dr Antonino Cosentino / Independent Scholar at Cultural Heritage Science Open Source
- Dr Graeme Earl / Senior Lectures at ACRG, University of Southampton
- James Miles / PhD student at ACRG, University of Southampton
- Hembo Pagi / Researcher at ACRG, University of Southampton / MTÜ Arheovisioon
- Dr Kathryn Piquette / Researcher at Cologne Center for eHumanities
- Dr Matteo Dellepiane / Researcher at Visual Computing Lab, ISTI- CNR Pisa
- Valeria Vitale / PhD student at Kings College London
Programme managers
Dr Hilkka Hiiop (Art Museum of Estonia / Estonian Art Academy)
Hembo Pagi (MTÜ Arheovisoon / University of Southampton)
Andres Uueni (SA Eesti Vabaõhumuuseum / Ennistuskoda “Kanut”)
About the event
In order to bring together, contextualise and visualize the information received by means of technical and / or art historical research, there is a plan to unify data sources into one documentation format using the modern imaging technologies.
The Rode altar, which is huge in size (approx. 6 x 3.5 meters), combines two-and three-dimensional art (paintings, sculptures, plaques, and polychrome objects), and can be exhibited at various positions. The altar provides an excellent opportunity for the wider analysis of complex objects documenting and mapping information. Workshop brings together several cultural heritage documentation specialists dealing with the know-how and will consider available opportunities and the effectiveness of different methods.
Complex objects (e.g. Rode altar) and ICT solutions available are unique possibility to implement different technologies into the modern museums to provide new level research possibilities and user experience. This case study about the research methods and ICT technologies can be adapted in the future as well, regarding museum objects, needs and visions. 
Seminar, workshop and hackathon providing hands-on experience on the cultural heritage data, targeting producing and managing 2D and 3D documentation for cultural heritage purposes including the related visualization tools for public use. The event will base on data gathered during the Rode altar scientific research, analysis and documentation process.
The purpose of the hackathon is to establish an effective prototype for a new way of experiencing and sharing scientific information, using free and open source software.