An AI reveals a mysterious detail hidden in a Raphael painting
An AI reveals a mysterious detail hidden in a Raphael painting
Artificial intelligence at the heart of artistic authentication
Artificial intelligence (AI) is establishing itself as an essential player in the world of art and history. A recent study used this technology to analyze a masterpiece by Raphael: the Madonna della Rosa. This innovative work reveals secrets hidden for centuries and asks the question: what future do we have for the authentication of works of art?
A game-changing analysis
In December 2023, a team of British and American researchers conducted a fascinating study of Raphael’s famous work. To everyone’s surprise, they discovered that the face of Saint Joseph, located in the upper left corner of the painting, was probably not the work of the Italian master. This revelation rekindles a debate that has fascinated experts for more than a century and a half.
AI at the service of art
The researchers designed a specific analysis algorithm, suitable for examining the authenticated works of Raphael. This pioneering method is based on two main AI techniques:
- ResNet50a pre-trained architecture developed by Microsoft.
- There support vector machine (SVM), a traditional machine learning method.
Dr Hassan Ugail, a mathematician and computer scientist at the University of Bradford, explains: “Through in-depth feature analysis, we trained the computer to recognize Raphael’s style in great detail, from brushstrokes to palette colors, through shading and all aspects of the work. This process achieved an accuracy rate of 98% when identifying paintings attributed to this artist.
An intriguing discovery
Analyzes carried out on the Madonna della Rosa revealed unexpected results. While the faces of the Virgin Mary, the Child Jesus and St. John the Baptist have been confirmed to be Raphael’s masterpieces, the situation of St. Joseph is different. Dr. Ugail says: “When we tested the “della Rosa” as a whole, the results were inconclusive. On examining the parts individually, it appeared that Joseph’s face was most likely not to be his.
These discoveries confirm the persistent doubts of art historians. Since the 19th century, critics have questioned the authenticity of certain parts of the painting, notably the face of Saint Joseph, considered to be of inferior quality compared to the other figures.
| Table element | Attributed to Raphael |
|---|---|
| Virgin Mary | Yes |
| Baby Jesus | Yes |
| Saint John the Baptist | Yes |
| Saint Joseph | No |
Collaboration between man and machine
If AI played a fundamental role in this study, the researchers emphasize the crucial importance of human expertise in the process of authenticating works of art. Dr Ugail emphasizes: “AI does not replace experts, but acts as a complementary tool. The authentication of a work involves various aspects, such as its provenance, the pigments used or even its current condition.”
Artificial intelligence is positioned as a valuable aid in detecting microscopic details invisible to the naked eye, thus offering new perspectives on works that have been studied for a long time.
A promising development
This innovative approach opens the way to methods of analysis unprecedented in the history of art. It could also help solve new mysteries regarding the authenticity or attribution of famous works, thus enriching our global artistic heritage.
In short, the alliance between artificial intelligence and human expertise heralds a revolution in the way we approach art and history, unearthing secrets buried for centuries and transforming our understanding of masterpieces who have shaped our culture.
