# Ultra-Detailed Museum Initiatives The Rijksmuseum Has Begun Operation Night Watch to Digitize Art By Colin Smith | Published 2022-01-13 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/night-watch References: [theverge](https://www.theverge.com/tldr/2022/1/11/22877951/rembrandt-night-watch-digital-gigapixel-scan) & [rijksmuseum.nl](https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/stories/operation-night-watch/story/ultra-high-resolution-photo)  'Operation Night Watch,' aptly named after Rembrandt van Rijn's 'The Night Watch,' is a research and restoration project undertaken by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. This project involved using a [100-megapixel camera](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/boundaries-of-imaging-technology) to take 8,439 high-resolution photos that span each section of The Night Watch. These photos were then stitched together by an AI and color-corrected through a [neural network](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/photo-enlargement). The result is an incredibly detailed 717 gigapixel image that boasts a 5.6 terabyte file size. The original painting by Rembrandt is roughly 12 feet by 14 feet, which means each individual pixel in this file covers just 5 micrometers of the painting. When viewing the image for free on the Rijksmuseum's website, one can zoom in all the way down to micro-cracks in the paint. This was a very difficult process to create, though if it is made more efficient in the future, this could point to a future of [digital museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/art-museum-of-south-texas) because images of this resolution are certainly worth paying for and are un-downloadable. Image Credit: The Rijksmuseum ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.7/10 - Popularity: 49% | Activity: 50% | Freshness: 11% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Computers](https://www.trendhunter.com/computers) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Ultra-high Resolution Museum Digitization:** Using high-resolution cameras and AI to create extremely detailed digital images of artwork for preservation and viewing purposes. - **Virtual Museum Tours:** Allowing people to view artwork from around the world from the comfort of their home via virtual tours and interactive experiences. - **Augmented Reality Museum Exhibits:** Using AR technology to create interactive exhibits that allow visitors to engage with artwork in unique ways. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Art and Culture:** Innovations in technology creating new opportunities for museums, galleries, and online marketplaces to digitize and promote artwork. - **Tourism:** Virtual museum tours could become a popular option for travelers who want to experience the cultural offerings of a city without leaving their homes. - **Technology:** Advancements in AI, high-resolution cameras, and AR offer opportunities for tech companies to partner with museums and develop innovative solutions for preserving and showcasing artwork. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Digital Museum Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/louvre.md) - [Reimagined Impressionist Paintings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/impressionist-paintings.md) - [Immersive Fine Art Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/la-joconde.md) - [Colossal AI Artworks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-artwork.md) - [AR-Revived Premium Art Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/egypt-augmented.md) - [AI-Generated Art Galleries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aigenerated-art-gallery.md) - [Immersive Digital Art Galleries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-reel-store.md) - [Hyper High-Resolution Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hyper-highresolution-camera.md) - [Smart TV Museum Partnerships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/samsung-art-store.md)