British scientists have used X-rays, artificial intelligence (AI), and 3D printing technology to recreate an enigmatic nude woman – a lost treasure hidden by Picasso for 120 years beneath another famous painting.
According to The Telegraph, the research from University College London (UCL) has brought the beautiful painting “The Lonesome Crouching Nude” back to the world after being concealed for 120 years beneath another masterpiece.
The painting hidden for 120 years – (Photo: The Telegraph)
Neuroscientist Anthony Bourached and physicist George Cann from UCL utilized X-rays, artificial intelligence (AI), and 3D printing techniques to search for the mysterious woman they knew existed but seemed to have been “erased from history.” They believe she was hidden behind the painting “The Blind Man’s Meal,” an important work from the Blue Period of the Spanish master Picasso, painted in 1903 and currently displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, USA).
The painting “The Blind Man’s Meal” – (Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art)
By analyzing Picasso’s brushwork in other paintings, they “trained” AI with an algorithm to simulate what the original painting looked like from the scant data provided by the X-ray imaging. They believe Picasso reluctantly painted over this work during the Blue Period, a time when he was just starting his career and struggled with expensive materials.
The recreated painting will be unveiled at the Morf Gallery in London on October 13, as part of the first AI art festival “Deeep” in London. Researchers hope this technique will help recreate many other paintings by Picasso as well as other masters. Artists often paint over their works when they cannot find a new canvas or simply are dissatisfied with the old piece.
