Let there be light: Sistine Chapel gets LED makeover

euronews.com ^

[BenLurkin]

Visitors to the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel will now be able to see its world-famous frescos in a new light – 7,000 new LED lights to be exact.

...

“This type of LED lighting guarantees a homogeneous lighting, which is very precise and allows us to understand the Sistine Chapel as a whole and each fresco individually, in minute detail,” says the Director of the Vatican Museums, Antonio Paolucci.

The non-intrusive, energy-saving bulbs have been concealed along the edges of the ledge which runs around the chapel. Positioned to match the frescoes’ pigments, they can be adjusted to different levels.

“This LED lighting, through complex technology, makes the lights emit a solar spectrum which is as close as possible to natural light. So there aren’t any disproportionate amounts of reds or blues...."

[Mrs. Don-o]

I’m glad they’re finally doing this, at least. The Sistine artwork is in danger of being ruined by bad lighting and terrible environmental conditions: humidity, and the various sweats and oils that waft off of the jostling crowds as they jam into that place. It’s surprisingly small and has no cross ventilation. Wreaks havoc on the physical stability of the murals.

[Technical Editor]

Thanks for posting this, Ben!

[Rodamala]

The 60Hz flicker of LEDs makes me want to puke. It is noticable in my peripheral vision when I move my head and especially noticable when The are used outdoors and I drive past them.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks BenLurkin.

[steve86]

You could ask the Vatican to read this article and install de-flicker-ers:

Characterizing and Minimizing LED Flicker in Lighting Applications