Two paintings attributed to Van Eyck, contested by an analysis based on artificial intelligence

A recent analysis of two paintings, "Saint Francis of Assisi Receiving the Stigmata," displayed in the museums of Philadelphia and Turin, has generated controversy regarding their authenticity.

Tests conducted by Art Recognition, a Swiss company, showed that both works have significant negative results regarding Van Eyck's brushes, with 91% negative for the version in Philadelphia and 86% negative for the one in Turin. These findings suggest that the paintings could be workshop works, created in the artist's workshop, but not necessarily by his hand. Dr. Carina Popovici, the director of Art Recognition, emphasized that the results are surprising, considering that at least one of the works was expected to be authentic. Critics mentioned that the condition and restorations of the paintings could influence the analysis. Dr. Noah Charney confirmed that the negative results suggest that both works are from the workshop, which could indicate the existence of a lost original.

Van Eyck, recognized as a great master of oil painting, left behind fewer than 20 authentic works, making these discoveries all the more significant.