Digital versions of paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Raffael and more a win-win situation
Limited-edition, certified digital copies of Italian masterpieces sold at a fraction of the originals’ cost are boosting museums’ cash flow
The last person to get their hands on a painting attributed to Leonardo da Vinci shelled out more than US$450 million at auction. Now, Italian cultural officials are making it possible to purchase a limited-edition, certified digital copy of the Renaissance genius’ Lady with Dishevelled Hair’ for roughly the price of a Lamborghini.
The Italian non-profit Save the Artistic Heritage and with its technical partner Cinello are providing well-heeled collectors the possibility of owning a literal projection of original Italian masterpieces, sized and framed to match the museum experience.
Participating museums sign a certificate of authenticity, and in return receive 50 per cent of the profits.
“We don’t want to sell a piece of technology. We want to sell a piece of artwork,’’ says John Blem, an Italy-born Danish entrepreneur who founded the initiative and who serves as chairman of Cinello and vice-president of the non-profit.
Sharing revenue is integral to the project, which aims to help cash-strapped museums access new income streams, and a key part of the sales pitch, Blem says.