Unraveling the Mystery: AI Sheds Light on a Raphael Masterpiece
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Chapter 1: The De Brécy Tondo Mystery
For years, the “de Brécy Tondo” was thought to be just a replica of Raphael’s renowned “Sistine Madonna,” with both paintings showcasing nearly identical images of Mary and Jesus. After extensive research, artificial intelligence has played a pivotal role in establishing that both artworks were crafted by a Renaissance artist.
The “de Brécy Tondo” is a circular artwork that presents a striking depiction of Mary and the infant Jesus, framed within a magnificent gilded square. This piece closely resembles the famous portrayal found in Raphael's “Sistine Madonna.” Despite these similarities, the artist behind the “de Brécy Tondo” remained a mystery for many years, with critics dismissing it as a mere copy of the Renaissance master's original work. The origins of this intriguing painting have long puzzled art enthusiasts, but it is now believed that it may have been created by the illustrious Raphael.
Efforts to identify the creator of the “de Brécy Tondo” date back over forty years. Early discussions suggested that Raphael might have extracted the holy family from the “Sistine Madonna” to create this smaller, independent work. The original piece is dated between 1513 and 1514. It depicts Our Lady and Child alongside Pope Julius II, represented as St. Sixtus, and St. Barbara. However, conclusive evidence to affirm whether it was indeed Raphael Santi who painted or copied this work has yet to surface.
Artificial Intelligence Confirms Artistic Identity
Researchers at the University of Bradford employed cutting-edge technology to resolve this artistic debate. They utilized facial recognition software powered by artificial intelligence to analyze both paintings. The AI’s findings revealed that the facial features of Mary and Jesus in the “de Brécy Tondo” and the “Sistine Madonna” are strikingly similar.
“The forensic facial comparison study we conducted confirmed that the faces of the Madonna and Child from the ‘de Brécy Tondo’ and those seen on Raphael’s masterpiece ‘Sistine Madonna’ are identical,” stated Hassan Ugail, director of the Center of Visual Computing at the University of Bradford.
The AI program established that if two objects or faces exhibit over 75 percent similarity, they can be deemed identical. In this case, the analysis indicated a 97 percent similarity for the Madonnas and an 86 percent similarity for Jesus. “While the human eye can perceive some resemblance, the AI delves deeper, noticing nuances that escape our attention, down to the minutest pixel,” added Ugail. “Based on our analysis, we concluded that identical models were employed to create both paintings, leading us to assert that they were crafted by the same artist.”
Timeline of Creation: De Brécy Tondo vs. Sistine Madonna
Further investigations compared the AI results with prior studies on the pigments used in the “de Brécy Tondo,” conducted through molecular spectroscopy. Those analyses ruled out the possibility of the painting being a Victorian copy, indicating instead that its pigments likely date back to the 16th or 17th century, coinciding with Raphael's lifetime.
Historical records show that in the 16th century, the painting belonged to Sir Richard Wynn of Gwydir in Wales, who served as treasurer to the Queen of England and Princess Henri Maria de France. Previous research revealed that the canvas's reverse side bore a monogram of the monarch, suggesting it was created in Rome and later donated to the British royal family.
In 1991, Dr. Murdoch Lothian also examined Raphael's artworks and considered the “de Brécy Tondo.” His research concluded that this painting was likely created first, and if Raphael indeed authored it, the “de Brécy Tondo” served as the inspiration for the holy family featured in the “Sistine Madonna.”
This video titled "Secrets Unveiled: Discover the Hidden Artist Behind Raphael's Iconic Masterpiece!" delves into the fascinating revelations surrounding the identity of the artist behind the “de Brécy Tondo,” exploring the intersection of art history and technology.
The second video titled "AI Discovered A New Raphael Painting" discusses how artificial intelligence has unveiled new insights into Raphael's artistry and the implications for art history.
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