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More than fifteen years ago, the University ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ developed a then-innovative lighting solution that was implemented in a live setting at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. The technology is still in use today, as cardinals retreat into the chapel to elect the new head of the Church. (Source: )

One of the key prerequisites for the widespread adoption of eco-friendly light sources is their proper optimization — unlike earlier technologies, such as fluorescent lights, which not only strain the eyes but also distort color perception.

An international consortium working on the illumination of the Sistine Chapel frescoes sought to address precisely these issues. For artwork, it is crucial that the lighting does not damage the paintings (through UV radiation or the heat generated by incandescent lights), and just as importantly, that visitors perceive the colors as the artist originally intended — as we noted in our earlier report on the project.

This latter task was handled by the Virtual Environments and Optics Laboratory of the Faculty of Information Technology at the University ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥, led by Professor János Schanda. His team was responsible for analyzing the colors of the frescoes and defining the color spectrum that would allow LED lighting to showcase Michelangelo's original shades as faithfully as possible.

At the time, Professor Schanda revealed that organizing the work was no easy task. One unexpected challenge arose when Pope Benedict XVI resigned, as the research group had secured access to the chapel in early spring — a period that could have been overtaken by the traditionally lengthy conclave held in the same location. Fortunately, they were able to complete their measurements just before the conclave began.

Photo: Gamma-Rapho / Getty Images