Gustavo Pulitzer Finali: The evolution of Interiors from Victoria I to Victoria II. Towards a Historical and Virtual Reconstruction using 3D Digital Models as a Reconstructive Tool Integrating Archival Sources

Abstract

This article explores the interior design of the ocean liners Victoria (1931 and 1951) by Gustavo Pulitzer Finali, tracing a transition from Art Déco luxury to postwar modernism. Based on unpublished archival materials from CSAC Parma, the study combines historical research with digital reconstruction, emphasizing the integration of design, materials, and artworks aboard ships as a reflection of contemporary aesthetic and functional values. Through the use of advanced 3D modeling techniques applied to original drawings, photographs, and material samples, the research reconstructs the interiors of Victoria II, providing new insights into the spatial organization, material culture, and artistic collaborations that characterized Pulitzer Finali’s design practice. The article highlights how 3D models can serve as both heuristic and epistemological tools, enabling the critical visualization of lost heritage and contributing to its preservation and dissemination in alignment with current European cultural heritage policies.