AI analysis casts doubt on Van Eyck paintings in Italian and US museums

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Dalya AlbergeFebruary 7, 2026 at 09:00 AM

AI Summary

medium article 3 min

AI analysis by Art Recognition casts doubt on the authenticity of two near-identical paintings, *Saint Francis of Assisi Receiving the Stigmata*, housed in the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Royal Museums of Turin. The AI, which analyzes brushstrokes, found a high probability that neither painting was created by Jan van Eyck, the attributed 15th-century Flemish master. The analysis contrasts sharply with the AI's assessment of *The Arnolfini Portrait* in London's National Gallery, which it deemed highly likely to be authentic. Art historians, including a leading Van Eyck scholar, suggest the paintings may be studio works rather than directly from Van Eyck's hand. The museums in Philadelphia and Turin have been contacted for comment on the findings.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

United States 40% Suermondt-Ludwig-Museum 40% Noah Charney 40% Italy 40% Tilburg University 50% National Gallery 50% Carina Popovici 60% Till-Holger Borchert 60% Philadelphia Museum of Art ×470% Royal Museums of Turin ×370% Art Recognition ×380% Jan van Eyck ×790%

Keywords

jan van eyck 100% art authentication 90% artificial intelligence 80% painting analysis 70% brushstrokes 60% museums 60% art history 50% saint francis of assisi receiving the stigmata 50% studio paintings 40%