Innovative technology based on artificial intelligence opens new possibilities for the rapid restoration of damaged works of art.
This is reported by Finway
- The method enables the restoration of paintings in just hours instead of months of work.
- It utilizes AI and specialized printed masks for digital restoration of canvases.
- It is suitable for works that cannot undergo traditional restoration.
How the New Restoration Approach Works
MIT graduate student Alex Kachkin has developed a tool that significantly accelerates the process of restoring damaged paintings. By applying artificial intelligence, the technology allows for the creation of a digital reconstruction of the canvas, restoring lost or destroyed areas through the analysis of neighboring fragments of the image.
A key feature of the method is the use of a printed polymer mask created after the digital restoration. This mask is applied to the original, and it can be easily removed without damaging the artwork, ensuring the reversibility of the procedure.
Practical Applications and Ethical Challenges
Kachkin tested the development on a 15th-century painting attributed to the Master of the Adoration of the Magi at the Prado. He digitized the canvas, marking over 5,600 defects, and restored them using a software mask with more than 57,000 unique shades.
To restore missing elements, including the face of a baby, fragments from other works by the artist were used. The AI analyzed the artistic style and selected appropriate details, ensuring maximum authenticity of the result.
The entire process took only a few hours, unlike traditional restoration, which typically lasts over a week. However, currently, the technology is intended only for varnished canvases.
“Restoring a painting is fun, and it’s great to sit down, fill all this in, and have a pleasant evening. However, it is a very slow process,” said the specialist.
Despite the significant advantages, the developer emphasizes the ethical aspects of the innovation. Whether it is acceptable to conceal the original under a layer of mask and recreate lost details using elements from other works remains an open question. According to Kachkin, the further development of the technology requires deep reflection on the principles of preserving cultural heritage.