AI is authenticating artworks for a Swiss auction house

AI Authentication in Art Market: A Groundbreaking Move: A Swiss auction house is set to offer artworks authenticated by artificial intelligence, potentially marking a significant shift in how art is verified and sold.

The pioneering auction: Germann auction house in Zürich will be the first to offer AI-authenticated works for sale, showcasing pieces from the collection of the late curator Martin Kunz.

• Three works by renowned artists Louise Bourgeois, Marianne von Werefkin, and Mimmo Paladino will be auctioned with AI authenticity certificates.
• The certificates are issued by Art Recognition, a Swiss company specializing in AI-based art authentication.
• This move challenges the traditional reliance on human connoisseurs for art authentication, potentially reshaping the art market landscape.

Technology behind the authentication: Art Recognition employs a sophisticated AI process to verify the authenticity of artworks.

• The AI system is trained on datasets including genuine works by the artist, as well as forgeries, imitations, and pieces from the artist’s workshop or followers.
• This comprehensive training enables the AI to distinguish between original masterpieces and works created in the artist’s style by others.
• The process has been used to verify contested works, including a Van Gogh self-portrait at the National Museum in Norway.

Industry reactions and market implications: The use of AI for art authentication has sparked both excitement and caution within the art world.

• Fabio Sidler from Germann auction house expresses strong commitment to this new technology, believing it will enhance credibility in the market.
• Some collectors view this as a radical move requiring “a real leap of faith,” indicating a mix of anticipation and skepticism.
• The auction could set a precedent for AI’s role in art transactions, potentially influencing future market practices.

Featured artworks and estimates: The auction will present three AI-authenticated pieces with varying estimates.

• Louise Bourgeois’ 1945 drawing is estimated at CHF 30,000-40,000 (£27,000-£36,000).
• Mimmo Paladino’s “Lo Spirito della Foresta” (1981) has an estimate of CHF 20,000-40,000 (£18,000-£36,000).
• Marianne von Werefkin’s untitled watercolor is estimated at CHF 5,000-8,000 (£4,000-£7,000).

Broader applications of AI in art authentication: Art Recognition’s technology has been used beyond this auction, demonstrating its potential impact on the field.

• The company used AI to research a painted portrait, concluding it was 82% likely to have been created by Albrecht Dürer, a master of the German Renaissance.
• This application showcases AI’s potential to contribute to art historical research and attribution studies.

Other technological advancements in the art market: The adoption of AI authentication is part of a broader trend of technological innovation in the art world.

• Christie’s recently introduced blockchain-backed ownership tools for a photography sale in New York.
• Each lot in the sale came with a digital certificate of ownership stored on the blockchain, offered via a web3 wallet provider.
• These developments indicate a growing integration of cutting-edge technologies in traditional art market practices.

The collection and upcoming sale: The AI-authenticated works are part of a larger collection going under the hammer.

• The sale, scheduled for November 23, features works from the collection of Martin Kunz, who passed away in 2021.
• Kunz was a notable figure in the art world, having served as director of several prestigious institutions including the Kunstmuseum Luzern and New York Kunsthalle.
• The collection includes works by other prominent artists such as Bruce Nauman and Lorna Simpson.

Analyzing deeper: Implications for the art world: The introduction of AI authentication in a major auction represents a significant moment in the intersection of technology and art.

• This move could potentially democratize the authentication process, making it more accessible and less reliant on a small pool of human experts.
• However, it also raises questions about the role of human expertise and intuition in art appreciation and valuation.
• The art world will be closely watching the results and reception of this auction, as it could set a precedent for future integration of AI in art market practices.