Computer graphics specialists restored the image of the "patron saint of all lovers"
Several countries and cities claim to possess the relics of St. Valentine. However, it is believed that the real remains are in Rome in the Basilica of Santa Maria of Cosmedin, in Rome. And they belong to the priest - Bishop of Interamna (now the city of Terni), who was beheaded on February 14, 269.
Researchers digitize Valentine's skull kept in the basilica
It is not known what Saint Valentine looked like - there are no portraits of him made during his lifetime. But there is a skull stored in the basilica behind glass. Well-known Brazilian computer graphics specialist Cicero Moraes took advantage of this to restore the true image of the patron saint of all lovers, newlyweds and seriously ill patients.
The researchers did not disturb the relic - they did not even take the skull in their hands. He was photographed from different angles and digitized. And then - they recreated the look according to the method of Professor Gerasimov
Computer created a 3D image of the saint's skull
Promotional video:
A special program uses the method of Professor Gerasimov
Photographed by José Luis Lira - made almost 300 images of the skull. The head was reconstructed by anthropologist Dr. Marcos Paulo Salles Machado, who came to the conclusion that the skull stored in the basilica belongs to a man of approximately 55 years of European appearance.
Previously, a plaster cast was taken from the skull for reconstruction, and the location of cartilage and muscles and skin was modeled using clay. Nowadays, all these manipulations are performed on a computer. They fantasize a little only at the very end, imagining what the skin on the face could be, they come up with a hairstyle and vegetation.
Valentine's look was recreated in several stages
The results of the work of the Brazilian researchers were reported by The Daily Mail.
According to one of the legends, Valentine secretly married lovers despite the ban introduced by the Roman emperor Claudius II - he forbade marriage, fearing that wives would not let their husbands go to fight.
Valentina's head was cut off for underground activities.
According to some reports, Valentine's Day - like Valentine's Day, began to be celebrated a few years after Valentine's execution. They are still celebrating.
This is how Saint Valentine is depicted in frescoes
This is how the saint really looked
Vladimir LAGOVSKY