What is a Lithophane?
Lithophanes were created in the 1820s. Skilled artists carefully carved or molded thin porcelain to create portraits, beloved pets, or whimsical scenes. When a candle was placed behind the porcelain, the image would appear in shades of grey.
Fast forward to the 21st century, where technology has given new life to this beautiful art form. Instead of doing detailed manual work, software takes over. A cherished photo is turned into a 3D model in the digital world, where every pixel becomes a specific change in thickness. This carefully created 3D model is then sent to a 3D printer, where layer by layer, the image comes to life, not in delicate porcelain, but in slightly see-through plastic.
By using a good photo, we can turn it into a 3D-printed image like the one of our dear Ella who passed away a few years ago. Remember, the contrast is crucial. The higher the contrast, the sharper the image will look when converted into a lithophane.