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AI Casts Doubt on Renowned Van Eyck Paintings
7 Feb
Summary
- AI analysis found both Saint Francis paintings negative for Van Eyck's brushstrokes.
- Leading scholars suggest the works may be from Van Eyck's studio, not his hand.
- Authenticity tests on Van Eyck's Arnolfini Portrait showed a high likelihood of being genuine.
Scientific analysis using artificial intelligence has cast significant doubt on the authenticity of two famous paintings, "Saint Francis of Assisi Receiving the Stigmata," housed in Philadelphia and Turin. Art Recognition's tests found no brushstrokes attributable to the 15th-century Flemish master Jan van Eyck, labeling the Philadelphia painting "91% negative" and the Turin version "86% negative."
These findings align with scholarly suggestions that the artworks may be studio productions rather than direct creations of Van Eyck. In contrast, a separate analysis of Van Eyck's "The Arnolfini Portrait" in London indicated an 89% likelihood of authenticity, highlighting the unique nature of the "Saint Francis" results.
Experts note that restoration work could influence AI analysis, but the consistent negative results for both paintings are striking. This situation prompts further investigation into the possibility of a lost original by Van Eyck, with these two pieces being workshop interpretations.
Jan van Eyck is celebrated for perfecting oil painting techniques, rendering reality with unparalleled clarity. Despite his fame, fewer than 20 paintings are definitively accepted as solely his work. The National Gallery in London is planning an exhibition of Van Eyck portraits later this year.
