From Cyprus to Château de Chantilly, France: science in service of art

The Cyprus Institute’s research has come into prominence at an international exhibition recently.

A landmark event in art history and international scientific research is currently unfolding at the Musée Condé of the historic Château de Chantilly, near Paris, where works by the great Renaissance painter Titian are presented within an exhibition that highlights the pivotal role of modern science in uncovering the secrets of art.

The exhibition, titled: “Titian: Ecce Homo – From Cyprus to Chantilly | Science in the Service of Art”, runs until June 14, 2026 and was inaugurated on March 7, 2026 at the Musée Condé, part of the renowned Institut de France. The museum houses one of France’s most important art collections, second only to the Louvre Museum.

At the heart of the exhibition are two works by Titian (Tiziano Vecellio, c. 1480–1576), both depicting the theme of Ecce Homo (“Behold the Man”), portraying Christ after the flagellation, as he is presented by Pontius Pilate to the crowd before the Crucifixion. The first work, from the Pittas Collection, depicts Christ alongside Pontius Pilate and two guards, while the second, belonging to the Musée Condé, presents the solitary figure of Christ.

A key feature of the exhibition is the interdisciplinary dialogue developed between the two works through groundbreaking scientific analyses and the discoveries derived from them. These studies have revealed previously unknown aspects of Titian’s artistic process, technique and material practice, as well as that of his Venetian workshop.

Advanced imaging techniques and material analysis enabled researchers to map the pigments and materials used by the artist, while also uncovering hidden elements, including a previously unknown portrait beneath one of the paintings, executed in a different orientation. This discovery sheds new light on the practice of canvas reuse in Titian’s workshop.

The research was conducted by the Andreas Pittas Art Characterisation Laboratories (APAC Labs) of the The Cyprus Institute, in collaboration with the C2RMF.

The final phase of the interdisciplinary study was carried out using a newly developed multimodal scanner, which combines multiple scientific imaging techniques and enables comprehensive material characterisation of artworks. This scanner was developed by APAC Labs in collaboration with C2RMF, the Fondation des Sciences du Patrimoine, and the CNRS, highlighting the strength of international collaboration in cultural heritage research.

At the exhibition’s opening, Dr Mathieu Deldique, Director and Chief Curator of the Musée Condé, emphasised the importance of this presentation within the framework of the museum’s historical collections, noting that collaboration with The Cyprus Institute opens new pathways for interdisciplinary research in art history.

Dr Michel Menu, associate researcher at APAC Labs and former Head of Research at C2RMF, also attended the event, underlining the importance of scientific and technological methodologies in achieving a deeper understanding of the work of great artists such as Titian.

The exhibition has already attracted strong interest from both the public and the French media. Notably, Le Monde has published an extensive feature highlighting the significance of the scientific findings emerging from the study.

Throughout the exhibition, special presentations and guided tours led by scientists will offer visitors a unique opportunity to explore how science and technology contribute to the study and interpretation of cultural heritage today.

The exhibition at the Château de Chantilly underscores the international recognition of the research carried out at APAC Labs of The Cyprus Institute and highlights its dynamic collaboration with leading European institutions. In this context, new partnerships with French research organisations are already being planned, with the support of the French Embassy in Cyprus.