Fifteen years ago, I was fortunate enough to take a tour through the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel and have the humbling experience of standing beneath Michelangelo’s masterpiece, “The Creation of Adam”. I could make out the figures of God and Adam all right, but the fresco lacked the 3-D effect other, less famous parts of the ceiling were able to convey. This visual discrepancy was a reality of the lighting technology available at the time.
Virtually all museums around the world had adopted the policy of zero natural light and limited exposure to halogen bulbs in an effort to preserve artistic masterpieces for future generations. “The creation of Adam” was pock marked with areas of darkness and uneven light distribution due to the inefficient halogen bulbs, which made it impossible to observe the rich details responsible for making the ceiling a priceless piece of visual storytelling.
Today, the Vatican Museum is correcting this problem and boldly stepping into the future with the installation of LED lighting throughout their Sistine Chapel. Thanks to the German lighting company Osram, 7000 LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, will illuminate the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling and walls, giving clarity to details long lost in the shadows of costly halogen bulbs.
Now visitors to the chapel will be able to enjoy the masterpieces of not only Michelangelo, but also Sandro Botticelli and Pietro Perugino, whose artwork covers the walls and are of equal observational value. Not only does this new technology favor the observer’s experience, but also the LEDs reduce energy consumption by 60% and wont harm the frescos, as traditional or natural lighting is known to do.
The Vatican has stepped out of its traditional role and is leading by example in an era when energy conservation is a critical issue in every corner of the world. Visitors to the newly lit chapel have already raved about the vivacity of the colors and the clarity of detail. If you stare long enough, it just might be your hand God is reaching out to touch.
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