In 1898, the Shroud's fortunes were low, much like they are today. The effects of the age of rationalism and enlightenment meant that relics were seen for what they often were. No one expected what was to happen when the new science of photography was applied to the Shroud for the first time.
The pictures below are recent and taken six years after the restoration and re-patching of the burn damage carried out in 2002*. The positive image on the left is all anyone - including a potential forger - could have seen before 1898. It is worth spending some time to let your eyes wander over them. There is nothing else like them in art or as a natural phenomena. The negative image on the right with the enhanced contrast which is a by-product of photography reveals the subtlety of the original. Bear in mind also that the cloth is 4 metres (14ft) in length. The photographs caused much controversy at the time with accusations of fraud and the photographer, Secondo Pia, was caused much stress by it. They were, literally, unbelievable. It would be another 35 years before Pia would be vindicated when the Shroud was photographed again by Giuseppe Enrie, in much better quality. These new pictures began a golden age of Shroud studies that would last for over 50 years. You might be able to detect that the shade of the image seems to vary in intensity and even to disappear into darkness the further the apparent distance it is from the cloth. The quality produced another startling discovery which you can see here. The precise physical and chemical nature of the image is examined here. Alternatively, you can return to the Investigation page.
* In 2008 Performance Films Ltd were given permission to film the Shroud in HD for the first time. Image merging techniques have been used to blend HD fames of individual sections into a composit picture. All Shroud images remain the copyright of the Archdiocese of Turin and Performance Films Ltd. and all rights are reserved. Even higher resolution images were obtained at the same time by Haltadefinzione and they are available directly from them.
* In 2008 Performance Films Ltd were given permission to film the Shroud in HD for the first time. Image merging techniques have been used to blend HD fames of individual sections into a composit picture. All Shroud images remain the copyright of the Archdiocese of Turin and Performance Films Ltd. and all rights are reserved. Even higher resolution images were obtained at the same time by Haltadefinzione and they are available directly from them.
The most recent photography of the Shroud took place in 2008 when Performance Films Ltd were given permission to capture the cloth in HD for the first time. (Below)
