In a first, scientists have made 3D reproductions of artistic masterpieces, such as a Rembrandt self-portrait and one of Vincent Van Gogh's sunflowers series.
The 3D reproductions are so detailed that they show the exact brush strokes and build-up of paint on the canvas achieved by the master artists.
The two-camera scanner developed by experts at the Delft University of Technology in Holland traversed the original masterpieces to record depth and colour, 'The Sunday Times' reported.
The resulting image of the peaks and troughs of paint resembles the topography of a landscape when viewed from the side.
Researchers created 3D reproductions of Rembrandt's The Jewish Bride, from the 1660s, a Rembrandt self-portrait and one of Vincent Van Gogh's sunflowers series.
Each camera used to scan the paintings had a capacity of 40 mega-pixels and was fitted on a frame to allow the artwork to be copied in minute detail in sections measuring 10cm by 15cm.
