Full Breakdown
Doubts Cast on Van Eyck's Authorship of Two Paintings
2/7/2026, 10:50:28 PM
Analysis Raises Questions About Authenticity
Recent analysis of two paintings attributed to the 15th-century Flemish artist Jan van Eyck has sparked significant debate regarding their authenticity. The paintings, titled *Saint Francis of Assisi Receiving the Stigmata*, are displayed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Royal Museums of Turin. Both versions of the painting have been subjected to scientific tests using artificial intelligence by Art Recognition, a Swiss company collaborating with Tilburg University in the Netherlands. The results indicated that the Philadelphia painting was “91% negative” for Van Eyck's brushstrokes, while the Turin version was “86% negative,” suggesting that neither may actually be by the artist himself.
Expert Opinions on the Findings
Till-Holger Borchert, a prominent Van Eyck scholar and director of the Suermondt-Ludwig-Museum in Aachen, expressed surprise at the findings but noted that they align with theories suggesting both paintings could be studio works—produced in Van Eyck's workshop but not necessarily painted by him. Dr. Carina Popovici, the CEO of Art Recognition, remarked on the unexpected nature of the results, stating, “I expected that, if one painting was negative, the other would be positive. But no, both came out negative.”
Dr. Noah Charney, an art historian, emphasized the surprising nature of the negative results, which prompted further testing to confirm the findings. He speculated that these paintings might represent studio works, potentially indicating the existence of a lost original that was more authentically by Van Eyck's hand.
Implications for Van Eyck's Legacy
Jan van Eyck is celebrated for his mastery of oil painting, with fewer than 20 works universally accepted as authentically his. Charney highlighted the misconception that Van Eyck personally executed every aspect of his paintings, noting that many works from his studio may not have been directly painted by him. This revelation could reshape the understanding of Van Eyck's artistic legacy and the nature of his workshop practices.
Criticism of AI Analysis
Critics of the AI-based analysis have raised concerns that the condition of the paintings and any restorations may have influenced the results. This skepticism underscores the ongoing debate about the reliability of technology in art authentication.
What's Next for the Paintings?
As the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Royal Museums of Turin await further investigation and commentary on these findings, the implications for the art world are significant. The National Gallery in London is preparing an exhibition of Van Eyck portraits, which may further ignite discussions about the authenticity of works attributed to this influential artist.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I expected that, if one painting was negative, the other would be positive. But no, both came out negative.” — Dr. Carina Popovici, CEO of Art Recognition
- “The negative results suggest that both of these pictures are studio works, which may mean that we have a lost original that was more fully by Van Eyck’s hand than these two,” — Dr. Noah Charney, Art Historian
