Virtual museums

"You feel yourself present in the painting and could even find yourself next to Christ," explained Antonio Criminisi, one of the researchers on the project.

It is hoped the new imaging technologies will help bring the world of art and computer science closer and has already sparked intense debate among art historians.

An argument over how much the great painters of the Renaissance relied on technologies such as mirrors to help them create perspective in their painting could be solved by analysis using such techniques.

It could also transform the public's view of museums, with a virtual tour no longer limited to the building in which works of art are housed.

"A virtual museum on the web means you work around the corridors. We think this is a little boring," said Mr Criminisi.

"How much better to be able to walk inside the painting itself," he added.