Artistic authentication is a tedious process that combines history, science and technology. However, the stakes are high and have a direct impact on art history, criticism and the multi-million dollar market.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technology that deepens the authenticity of art. It has emerged as a powerful tool for unlocking the secrets of iconic masterpieces. Before AI was a twinkle in a scientist’s eye, artistic authentication relied on manual reviews. Experts carefully inspected provenance, material studies, iconography and stylistic analysis. Chemical and radiographic analyzes provided valuable information about the composition and age of a piece. However, these methods required experts and were often time consuming.
Connoisseurship closely analyzes composition, style and brushwork, an essential process used to authenticate the renowned works of artists like Raphael. The artist is known for masterpieces such as The School of Athens And The Madonna of the Rose. However, his assistants often contributed to his plays.
AI discovers the mysteries of art
AI didn’t exist back then Renaissance era, but this is the case now. Algorithms and machine learning are the new experts in artistic authentication. Machine learning identifies complex stylistic details beyond human capabilities. Stylistically, algorithms evaluate color patterns, brushstrokes and textures with unimaginable precision.
The University of Bradford in England applied AI to Raphael’s brain. Madonna of the Rose, hosted in Madrid, and has long been debated among academics. Thanks to AI, researchers discovered that a character from work of art was illustrated by another hand. While the Madonna, Child Jesus and Saint John the Baptist were painted by Raphael, Saint Joseph was probably added later by someone else.
Hassan Ugail, director of the Center for Visual Computing and Intelligent Systems in Bradford, explain“AI program analysis conclusively demonstrated the stylistic distinctions, proving that Saint Joseph was not painted by Raphael.”
THE Madonna of the Rose the study builds on previous successes. The team previously analyzed the by Brécy Tondoa painting questioned as a 19th century copy. AI results identified him as an authentic Raphael despite initial skepticism. These advances highlight the growing acceptance of AI in the art world.
“AI is a tool that complements traditional methods,” said Ugail, “it provides a quick way to assess whether a painting merits further investigation.”