BU computer animation experts and archaeologists use digital technology to reassemble shattered statue

Computer animation experts and archaeologists in Bournemouth have used modern technology to piece together a centuries old Dorset statue that was smashed in the Reformation during Tudor times.

Around 170 fragments of a 15th century statue depicting the ‘Mass of St Gregory’ were found behind a wall at St Peter’s Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset in the 1970’s during restoration work.

The complete statue would have stood approximately six feet high.

Reassembling every piece physically has proved to be too great a challenge to date but now Dorset County Museum has teamed up with Adam Redford and Dr Martin Smith at Bournemouth University, to restore the statue digitally.

It is thought that fragments had been hidden after being smashed at the time of the Reformation, either during the reign of Henry VIII (1509-1547) or his son Edward VI (1547-1553).

Shaftesbury Abbey was exceptionally wealthy making it an inevitable target when the monasteries of England were dissolved in the 16th century.

For several months Adam and Dr Smith captured thousands of images of the broken fragments which were used to generate 3D digital models of each statue piece.

Dr Redford was then able to reposition the broken pieces in virtual space, with the same software used in the film and TV industry to create visual effects.

The largest statue pieces have now been remounted for public display at Shaftesbury Abbey Museum and Gardens along with their digital reconstruction.

Adam Redford, Principal Academic in Computer Animation at Bournemouth University said: “This project was an exciting challenge. It was great to be able to bring the university’s computing power to bear along with industry grade software to recreate a part of the nation’s heritage”

Surviving sculptural depictions of the St Gregory Mass are very rare, with only three other examples known in England, and the Shaftesbury statue is both the largest and the only one with significant surviving paintwork.

Dr Martin Smith, Associate Professor in Forensic and Biological Anthropology, said: “The paint survival and quality are exceptional with bright colours, patterns and gilding still evident.

Particular points of interest include a bishop’s mitre, a beautifully carved and painted altar cloth and magnificent robes on one of the figures.

Dr Smith said: “The hands and head of Christ are not preserved – possibly because they were targeted for destruction – but his torso and arms had been carefully painted and re-painted centuries ago before the sculpture was smashed.”

Museum team leader Claire Ryley said: “After a tremendous amount of effort by the curating team we are very pleased to be able to present both the new physical and digital reconstructions to the public.

“This has been an intriguing but also a very rewarding jigsaw puzzle!”