Virtual photography is a growing movement. With an estimated trillion digital images being uploaded online yearly, it’s clear that our desire to record our lives is ever present in society. And as more of our experiences take place online, this in turn has led to the birth and growth of the virtual photography movement.

An online extension of their Johann Hummel exhibition, Magical Reflections is a unique webXR experience that bridges the gap between visual and virtual art; a cinematic 3D gallery showcasing multiple works of the iconic artist Johann Erdmann Hummel on display at the renowned Alte Nationalgalerie Berlin with particular focus on his most famous piece:

“The Granite Bowl in the Berlin Lustgarten”

The experience allows visitors to observe the work from a different and unique perspective - their own - and experience the story Hummel wanted to tell in his painting.

To highlight the growing movement of virtual photography, Meta and Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin commissioned a webXR experience of Johann Hummel’s “The Granite Bowl in the Berlin Lustgarten” painting, known for its precise reflections and lighting.

Magical Reflections is accessed via a VR headset and a web browser on desktop and mobile. In the main gallery inspired by the interior of the real-life Alte Nationalgalerie Berlin, art lovers are able to view a variety of paintings, zoom in for a closer look and rotate the camera to experience the piece from multiple angles, often with subtle changes of light depending on the angle - as though in a real life gallery.

The visitor can step inside the “The Granite Bowl” masterpiece, navigate a defined area of the painting using virtual photography which enables them to be fully immersed into the artwork. Before taking a snapshot they can adjust brightness, contrast, saturation or warmth before and then share it on Facebook or an online gallery where they can also discover other visions of the artwork.

We worked closely with the curators; through the gallery’s archives and historical knowledge we were able to gather what a day in the 1830 would be like and the sounds that you would expect which contributed towards the sound design of the entire experience.

In the end, the webXR experience which connects visual and virtual arts, captures the creative vision of the old masters, and transforms their iconic artworks into virtual photography hotspots. The project with a team of designers, art directors, developers and producers took just over 3 months to complete.