Art History in the Digital Age: The Current State and Achievements of Digital Heritage Research; [디지털 시대의 미술사: 디지털 헤리티지 연구의 현황과 성과]

초록

This study examines the impact of digitalization on art historical research and its scholarly significance in the field of cultural heritage. Since the 2000s, advancements in digital technologies have fundamentally transformed the documentation, preservation, and analytical methodologies of cultural heritage. By analyzing case studies such as the Sŏkkuram Grotto, the Royal Protocols of the Chosŏn Dynasty (Ŭigwe), and Koguryŏ tomb murals, this study explores how digital heritage has expanded access to and the scope of research on cultural assets. The integration of cutting-edge technologies-including 3D scanning, Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-has enabled unprecedented opportunities for the study and experience of cultural heritage beyond spatial and temporal limitations. However, the current paradigm of digital heritage remains predominantly focused on technological implementation, often overlooking the interpretative and contextual dimensions of art historical analysis. To address this limitation, it is imperative to increase the participation of art historians in digital heritage projects while fostering the active adoption of digital methodologies within the field of art history. Ultimately, the convergence of art historical expertise and digital innovation will not only deepen the historical and artistic understanding of cultural heritage but also establish digital heritage as a pivotal tool for research, education, and the reinterpretation of cultural values. © 2025 Art History Association of Korea. All rights reserved.