AI analysis finds £71,000 painting dismissed as copy is a Caravaggio
8 hours ago
- #Caravaggio
- #AI in Art
- #Art Authentication
- A painting, 'The Lute Player,' previously dismissed as a copy, has been confirmed as an authentic Caravaggio with an 85.7% probability.
- Scientific analysis by Art Recognition and AI showed a strong match with verified Caravaggio works.
- Caravaggio is renowned for his revolutionary use of chiaroscuro and realism in his compositions.
- The Badminton House version of 'The Lute Player' was sold for £750 in 1969 as a copy but later recognized for its quality.
- Art historian Clovis Whitfield and collector Alfred Bader purchased the painting, believing it matched descriptions in Caravaggio's biography.
- There are three versions of 'The Lute Player,' with the Hermitage and Wildenstein versions being the others.
- The Wildenstein version, previously considered original, was deemed inauthentic by AI analysis.
- Experts like David Van Edwards noted flaws in the Wildenstein version's depiction of the lute.
- Caravaggio painted 'The Lute Player' to impress his patron, Cardinal Francesco Maria del Monte.
- The painting's history includes ownership by Antonio Barberini and the Duke of Beaufort.
- A new podcast and documentary will explore the painting's authenticity and history.
- Sotheby's maintains its 2001 stance that the painting could be a copy by Carlo Magnone.