AI Algorithm Unravels Mystery of Raphael Masterpiece

The mystery surrounding Raphael’s masterpiece, the Madonna della Rosa, displayed in the Prado, Madrid, may have been resolved by an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm developed at the University of Bradford. The painting, previously attributed entirely to Raphael, raised doubts in the 19th century, with experts suggesting parts might be from his workshop. The AI algorithm, developed by Professor Hassan Ugail, analyzed the painting in extraordinary detail and concluded that most of it is by Raphael, except for the face of Joseph.

The algorithm, trained on 49 verified Raphael works, boasts a 98% accuracy in recognizing authentic pieces. The findings are detailed in a paper published in the Heritage Science journal, demonstrating the potential of AI as an additional tool for art authentication, though Ugail emphasizes that it won’t replace human expertise. The AI was also applied to the Haddo Madonna, previously debated as Raphael’s work, supporting claims that it is likely authentic.