Specialising in art reproduction, Belgian photographer Dominique Provost works with numerous museums, galleries, artists and collectors – both nationally and internationally – to reproduce paintings, sculptures, silverware, jewellery, and other such artefacts. Using the Hasselblad Multi-Shot system, he had the opportunity to photograph Spanish baroque sculptor Pedro de Mena’s collection of six hyper-realistic 17th century sculptures for the Musea Brugge and The National Museum of History and Art of Luxembourg. Needing to produce the most high-resolution images, these photographs will be of monumental importance for art conservation, restoration, digitalization, and if necessary, reproduction of these historical pieces.
CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW TO ZOOM IN
PEDRO DE MENA’S SCULPTURES
Created in the 17th century, Pedro de Mena’s hyper-realistic sculptures possess incredible details – the tears and eyes are made of finely-sculpted glass; exquisite transitioning in different skin tones and wrinkles; exceptional construction of realistic clothing. “To reproduce these details and to capture these lifelike characteristics in the best possible way, high-res images and the best camera are necessary in order to obtain the most perfect tones and to really bring out the used materials and respect the colours of these intensely realistic sculptures. With the H5D-200c MS I was able to obtain an incredible tonality needed for such detailed sculptures. The 4-shot function brings out the most perfect tonal range,” explains Dominique.
Using the H5D-200c Multi-Shot, these high-quality images were not only used for murals, websites, and other press related activities, but for a digital registry of the pieces, conservation purposes, and as a powerful reference for restoration and reproduction in the future.
Behind the scenes
CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW TO ZOOM IN
CHIAROSCURO LIGHTING
“These types of religious sculptures were used to evoke emotions in the person admiring them. There was a certain mysterious and mystical atmosphere in these poorly lit churches, and to obtain this same dramatic effect and to highlight specific details, I also used Broncolor Picolite lamps to bring back this Caravaggio-like use of chiaroscuro light,” says Dominique.
In my niche of art reproduction, my clients expect the highest quality and the most accurate resemblance to the photographed object. Shooting with the H5D Multi-Shot and the H6D-400c MS is an optimal tool because it guarantees perfect tonality and colour richness that one can only find in 16-bit files. Phocus’ in-program colour profiling allows me to obtain the highest colour accuracy on site.
ABOUT DOMINIQUE PROVOST
Belgian photographer Dominique Provost’s own passion for art goes hand in hand with his professional photographic career specialising in art reproduction. Working alongside museum conservators, curators, gallerists and artists, he is entrusted with capturing some of the most precious art pieces in the world. And throughout his entire career, he’s always trusted Hasselblad to deliver. See more of his work here.
Currently, there is an exposition at the National Museum of History and Art (MNHA) in Luxembourg entitled De Mena, Murillo, Zurbarán - Masters of the Spanish Baroque from 24.01.2020 until 21.11.2020 where Dominique’s images are also printed and displayed alongside the sculptures. Read more here.
NEVER COMPROMISE
ON QUALITY
More Hasselblad stories
All stories ⟶
Gavin Goodman
The Powerful Simplicity of Symmetry
A limited tonal palette and simple yet sharp props combined for a superb photoshoot with a focus on form, colour, and symmetry for South African photographer Gavin Goodman and his team.
DELIRIUM
COOPER & GORFER
Sweden-based Hasselblad Ambassadors Cooper & Gorfer embarked on a new piece, Delirium, that embodies the Covid-19 pandemic, capturing the constant struggle of healthcare workers fighting through this historical tragedy.
KARIM ILIYA
HASSELBLAD GOES UNDERWATER AMONG WHALES AND TURTLES
Freediver and 2018 Hasselblad Master Karim Iliya ventured underwater with the AquaTech REFLEX Water Housing for the Hasselblad X1D II 50C, capturing serene imagery of whales and turtles in their natural worlds around the French Polynesian island of Moorea and Maui, Hawaii.
SEAN CONBOY
CAPTURING ARCHITECTURAL GRANDEUR WITH THE XH CONVERTER 0,8
Sean Conboy put the XH Converter 0,8 to the architectural test, photographing the exquisite interior of the Winter Gardens Blackpool in England.
COOPER & GORFER
BETWEEN THESE FOLDED WALLS, UTOPIA
Using the Hasselblad X1D, Cooper & Gorfer intertwine photographic portraiture with beautifully executed collage techniques and hand-drawn textures, blending photography and painting in their series, Between These Folded Walls, Utopia.
TOM OLDHAM
UNLOCKING NEW LENS OPPORTUNITIES WITH XH CONVERTER 0,8
As one of the first to try out the new XH Converter 0,8 on the 907X 50C, British photographer Tom Oldham executed a brilliantly dynamic studio session with Greek model and activist Billie Dellios. The XH Converter 0,8 opened Tom’s typical portrait-taking style of shooting on f/11 to a wide f/1,8 to create stunningly bold visuals.
ISA LESHKO
ALLOWED TO GROW OLD: ELDERLY ANIMAL PORTRAITS PRESERVED ON THE 503CW
As a project that started off with confronting her own mortality after caring for her mother suffering from Alzheimer’s, Isa Leshko embarked on a decade-long project photographing elderly farm animals. Creating connections with pigs, cows, turkeys, and sheep, among others, Isa captured the unique personalities of each animal on film through the lens of her Hasselblad 503CW.
DINO KUŽNIK
THE SOLITUDE OF THE AMERICAN WEST
With an affinity for photographing the American West, Slovenian creative Dino Kužnik embarked on a two-week road trip across Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico after months of lockdown in his New York home base. Used to shooting on medium format film, Dino opted for digital medium format using the X1D II 50C and XCD 45 and 90 Lenses. Driving through the earthy terrain of the rugged desert landscape, Dino’s images let us travel back in time to an America of yesteryear.
ANNA DEVÍS AND DANIEL RUEDA
EXPANDING THEIR VISUAL UNIVERSE WITH THE 907X 50C
Drawing inspiration from Hasselblad’s long legacy, creative duo and Hasselblad Ambassadors Anna Devís and Daniel Rueda tried out the new 907X 50C to create imagery that celebrates some of Hasselblad’s most renowned features. Expanding on their own visual universe – including a cloning situation, blending in with a record player, and mapping out their own constellations – each of the photographs give a nod to the camera’s long-lasting build, classic design, and innovation behind the technology that also led to working with NASA.
ADAM WEIST
ADVENTURING THROUGH THE SUBTROPICAL RAINFORESTS AND ACTIVE VOLCANOES OF NEW ZEALAND
As the world turned upside down for many in March 2020, Los Angeles-based photographer Adam Weist found himself removed from it all on the other side of the world in the middle of New Zealand’s magical scenery. Shooting with the X1D II 50C in wild conditions ranging from the middle of a downpour in subtropical rainforests to a snowstorm on an active volcano, Adam’s images expose the beauty of the country and transport us to a landscape photographer’s dream.