Through its powerful printing technology, Canon looks to redefine the possibilities of print reproduction, bringing to life a famous masterpiece in amazing dimensions

MELVILLE, N.Y. – In celebration of World Art Day, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, highlights a recent collaboration with Canon Production Printing and the Mauritshuis museum in the Netherlands, helping to pay homage to the enduring legacy of Johannes Vermeer’s 1665 masterpiece, Girl with a Pearl Earring, through a mega-sized 3D-printed reproduction, currently on display in the Mauritshuis Museum in the Netherlands.

This unique reproduction of Girl with a Pearl Earring, the largest elevated print of this kind in the world, was created using Canon’s elevated printing technology. This technology, which is used in PRISMAelevate XL software, enabled Canon Production Printing to create the unique enlargement on the Arizona flatbed printer, using UV ink to build layer-on-layer.

The Mauritshuis, in collaboration with Canon Production Printing, embarked on a journey to unveil the original beauty of Vermeer’s renowned artwork as it looked when it was first created over 359 years ago. Under the leadership of Mauritshuis restorer, Abbie Vandivere, and with support from Technical University of Delft and scanning expert Hirox Europe, Canon accepted the challenge to reveal 'Who's that Girl?'

Over the centuries, the iconic painting has aged gracefully, yet the ravages of time have altered its appearance. Hirox conducted a microscopic 3D scan, while researchers from the Technical University of Delft digitally visualized the painting's evolution.

Canon Production Printing then utilized its state-of-the-art technology to create a monumental 13-foot-high elevated print of the painting, enlarged approximately 100 times its original size. This allows visitors to immerse themselves in Vermeer's masterpiece like never before, witnessing its intricate details up close. Furthermore, they are allowed to touch and feel the elevated print, providing a tactile experience of the ‘landscape’ of the painting. Even larger enlargements of specific details – including the iconic pearl earring and the captivating eye of the Girl – offer a close-up view of Vermeer's meticulous brushstrokes and pigment particles.

The resulting elevated print, the largest of its kind globally, is on display in the Mauritshuis museum foyer in the Netherlands. Admission is free, offering art enthusiasts and visitors alike the chance to marvel at, and even touch, this extraordinary creation.