Case study | Using AI to identify artists

The de Brécy Tondo painting has been the subject of research and debate for more than 40 years due to its resemblance to Raphael’s Sistine Madonna.

But last year, analysis using artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted facial recognition revealed that the faces in the paintings are identical to those in Raphael’s altarpiece. Experts now believe that the work, which is owned by the de Brécy Trust, is “undoubtedly” by Raphael.

Deeper analysis

The analysis was carried out by professor Hassan Ugail, the director of the Centre of Visual Computing at the University of Bradford. He has since developed a new AI model to recognise paintings by old masters that looks at the painting as a whole, not just the faces.

“My AI models look far deeper into a picture than the human eye, comparing detail such as the brush strokes and pigments,” says Ugail. “Testing the Tondo using this new AI model has shown startling results, confirming it is most likely by Raphael.

“Together with my previous work using facial recognition, and combined with previous research by my fellow academics, we have concluded the Tondo and the Sistine Madonna are undoubtedly by the same artist.

“Currently, the authenticity of a painting is confirmed by eye, by experts. I believe this technology – using science to analyse art – could be used alongside human experts, leading to easier authentication and greater transparency.”

Following the analysis, the de Brécy Tondo went on display at Cartwright Hall in Bradford from July 2023 until 3 January this year. It was the first time that the painting had been on public display anywhere in the world.

Supporting research

Ugail’s AI analysis adds weight to research by Howell Edwards, emeritus professor of molecular spectroscopy at the University of Bradford, who found the pigments in the Tondo placed it firmly in the Renaissance period; and Christopher Brooke, a professor at the University of Nottingham, fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and historian of ecclesiastical art and architecture.

Timothy Benoy, honorary secretary of the de Brécy Trust, says: “We believe the work on the Tondo very forcibly illustrates the increasing value of scientific evidence in the attribution of a painting.”

The de Brécy Trust was set up in 1995 to carry out the wishes of its late founding benefactor, George Lester Winward, who transferred the ownership of his art collection to the trust.

The aim was to make the collection permanently available for study and research. The collection’s wide range of paintings includes from the 16th-century Italian school, Dutch and Flemish paintings from the 17th century, and 18th and early 19th-century works from the English school.

Hassan Ugail is the director of the Centre of Visual Computing at the University of Bradford