347 years after his death, one of the greatest Masters of all time is brought back to life to create one more masterpiece. But this time, data is the painter and technology the brush: The Next Rembrandt.

The Next Rembrandt is a 3D printed painting made completely out of Rembrandt-data. All of his 346 paintings were analysed using hi-res 3D scans and digital files upscaled by a deep learning algorithm.

Facial recognition and machine learning software was designed to understand Rembrandt’s style and use those learnings to generate new facial features, which were assembled based on his use of geometric proportions.

Finally, a height map was created to mimic Rembrandt’s brushstrokes. The file was brought to life through an advanced 3D printer that printed 13 layers of paint based UV-ink.

The Next Rembrandt was unveiled and exhibited in Amsterdam on the 5th of April.

To make sure we activated as many people as possible, we started by inviting various experts from the art and tech world, the international press and the general public to the unveiling and exhibition of The Next Rembrandt in Amsterdam.

A modern art gallery was transformed into an exhibition space with big screens with the actual algorithms at work, playing behind the easel with the painting, made out of zero’s and ones.

This special gallery was where the conversation started.

Via an online launch film, people all over the world were invited to nextrembrandt.com, where they could dive deeper into the process of creating the digital painting.

ING and partners Microsoft, Mauritshuis, Rembrandthuis and Technical University Delft joined in activating people all over the world to the global conversation about where data and technology can take us.

About an innovative sponsorship defying imagination.

People from all over the world came to experience the unveiling and exhibition in Amsterdam. There the global conversation started.

- The Next Rembrandt was global trending topic, reporting 10 million Twitter impressions on unveiling-day.

- Over 1.400 articles (and counting) were written.

- All major news networks covered the unveiling, commenting on its meaning for future innovations.

- Globally over 1.8 billion media impressions.

- Earned media value: 12.5 milllion euro.

- On launch day Fortune Magazine reported an increase in stock value for ING (ING ^1.22%) and partner Microsoft (MSFT ^ 0.49%).

- After launch, Google reported ING’s Search Interest increased by 61.29% and Microsoft by 20%.

Next to the ongoing global conversation about the meaning for our industry and the future of creativity, there was another fundamental result: the technology developed for The Next Rembrandt is now used for the restauration of damaged and partially lost Masterpieces.

As a global bank, ING has been focussing on innovation as the way forward.

The Next Rembrandt brings data and technology to a world, riddled with tradition: ING’s sponsorship of Dutch arts and culture.

Creating this 3D-printed painting out of Rembrandt-data was a collaborative process of ING and its partners in an 18 month endeauvour. From Microsoft to Mauritshuis, everyone contributed to the final result. It activated people to join global conversation about where innovation can take us.

Building ING’s reputation as one of the most innovative banks in the world.

And raising some provocative questions for the world to consider…

If you want to activate the world to talk about your brand’s innovative spirit, you have to go beyond existing boundaries.

You have to defy imagination.

The Next Rembrandt combines ING’s sponsorship of Dutch arts and culture with its innovative spirit. Because if you can bring data and technology to the traditional world of classical art, the effect will be something that pushes the boundaries of the imagination.

We decided to form a team of partners from various fields (like Microsoft for data expertise and Mauritshuis for Rembrandt expertise) and we started an 18 month process to bring back to life the Master of Shadow and Light. But this time, data was the painter and technology the brush.

Leaving us with a physical manifestation of ING’s innovative sponsorship, that was used to activate people all over the world to join the conversation about where data and technology can take us.

ING, a Dutch multinational banking group, has been building its credentials as an innovative bank.

It has introduced many innovative solutions to empower its clients. From the introduction of fingerprint log-in to the introduction of twyp, a free app that you can use to transfer money to friends.

Now ING wanted to bring that innovative spirit to its sponsorship of Dutch art and culture. For many years ING has been supporting Dutch arts and culture, a world riddled with tradition. How can we use data and technology to bring newness and progression to this domain as well?

Main objective was, with their partners, to create this 3D printed painting made from zero’s and ones, activating people worldwide to join a conversation on where data and technology can take us. In order to build one of the most innovative bank brands in the world.