
Past Exhibitions


A laser passing over the surface of an object produces a digital scan made of millions of measurements points. These data can be manipulated in a variety of ways to reveal new information and advance research. Image courtesy Smithsonian’s Digitalization Program Office


Detail, Waves at Matsushima; Tawaraya Sōtatsu, (act. ca. 1600–40); pair of six-panel folding screens; ink, color, gold, and silver on paper; Freer Gallery of Art, F1906.231-232

Oum el Dounia Lara Baladi (b. 1969, Beirut) Belgium, 2000–2007 Wool and cotton Courtesy of the artist

Right, detail, The Buddha at Birth, F2005.9a–b; Detail, mirror case, RLS2014.9.157; Center, detail, Untitled, from Flowers in the Image of Imagination series, S2013.9; Left, detail, mirror case, RLS2014.9.157

Jar with lid, S2005.105a-b.

Detail, : On one side Narihira and the pilgrim; on the other, chrysanthemums and a brook, F1903.1

Lotus and Ducks (detail) 荷花雙鳧圖 (軸), (ca. 1696); Bada Shanren (Zhu Da) 八大山人 (朱耷), (Chinese, 1626-1705) Qing dynasty; Hanging scroll; ink on paper; Bequest from the collection of Wang Fangyu and Sum Wai, donated in their memory by Mr. Shao F. Wang, F1998.45

Detail, Funerary Relief Bust, Syria, 3rd century (dated 231 CE), Limestone, 60.1 x 55.3 x 23 cm, F1908.236