Digital reconstructions of picture galleries as art historical method: The virtual museum at the Royal Palace in Stockholm

We are now witnessing a wave of research using digital tools to create 3D reconstructions of buildings, exhibitions, and objects. We would therefore like to critically discuss the scholarly value of reconstructions. What are we learning? Which problems are solved? What new knowledge can be gained? These are questions posed from a background of history of display and a pilot study in which we are reconstructing two hangings in a gallery at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. We conclude that an immersive 3D reconstruction can give new insights into narratives and hierarchies of art displays. Our model, made with the game engine Unity and the software Virtual Museum, allows us to show and analyze historical changes and developments as well as aspects as eye-lines, visibility and visitors flow to a comparably low cost. This way an immersive 3D-reconstruction can be used not only for pedagogical visualizations, but become an effective research tool.