Photo sculpture
![Diagram from the U.S. patent application](/Images/godic/202502/02/Brevet_américain_de_la_photosculpture_-_9_août_18643445.JPG")
![Photosculpture of François Willème from the 1860s](/Images/godic/202502/02/Willème_photosculpture3445.JPG")
![Series of photographs taken in 1865 for photosculpture](/Images/godic/202502/02/Willème_18653445.jpg")
![Willème's rotunda laboratory at 42 Avenue de Wagram in Paris](/Images/godic/202502/02/Rotonde_Willème3445.JPG")
A photo-sculpture is the reproduction of persons, animals, and things, in 3-dimensions by taking a series of photos in the round and using them as synchronized photo projections to create a sculpture. The process was invented and patented by French artist (painter, sculptor and photographer) François Willème in 1860. He took a series of photographs from around a subject and used them to carve a likeness of the figure. Contemporary photo sculptures are obtained through a process of 3D scanning and 3D printing. The results are small statues that represent the portrayed entity.