Spanish art scholarship has made a significant discovery that could change the way Renaissance heritage is studied. Thanks to an innovative artificial intelligence system developed jointly by specialists from the US and Spain, it has been established that the famous painting ‘The Baptism of Christ’ is the work of El Greco himself, without the involvement of his pupils or other artists. This decision resolves long-standing debates over collective authorship and highlights the unique creative style of the master.
For Spain, where cultural heritage plays a key role in national identity, such discoveries are of not only scientific but also public importance. New technologies offer a fresh perspective on art history and help clarify details that were previously left to speculation. As TASS notes, the research results have been published in the prestigious journal Science Advances, underscoring the international recognition of the Spanish and American scientists’ work.
Technology and art
At the heart of the research is a unique neural network capable of analyzing three-dimensional images of painting surfaces. This approach makes it possible to detect the smallest differences in the texture of brushstrokes that are invisible to the naked eye. These very features allow experts to distinguish the work of a single artist from collective creations—particularly relevant for pieces produced in workshops with many pupils.
During the experiment, experts compared the surface structure of ‘The Baptism of Christ’ with another work by El Greco—’Christ on the Cross’ from 1600, the authorship of which is undisputed. The AI system did not detect significant differences between these paintings, which became a strong argument in favor of individual authorship. This result refutes the widespread theory that students or the artist’s son could have completed the painting after the master’s death in 1614.
Historical context
During the Renaissance, many artists ran large workshops where dozens of apprentices worked on commissions. Often, it was they who painted specific fragments or completed works after the master’s death. In El Greco’s case, for a long time there was a belief that his later works, including ‘The Baptism of Christ,’ were the result of collective effort. However, modern analytical methods allow us to reconsider this view and clarify the contribution of each participant in the creative process.
Researchers paid particular attention to analyzing surface height variations on the painting, as these reflect the individual characteristics of the artist’s technique. This approach has already proven effective in other projects related to the attribution of works of art. According to russpain.com, the introduction of AI into art history research opens new horizons for studying Spain’s cultural heritage.
Discussions and new perspectives
The discovery sparked a lively discussion among experts. Some specialists believe that such technologies can not only resolve longstanding disputes, but also reveal previously unknown details in the biographies of great masters. At the same time, some art historians urge caution, noting that even the most advanced algorithms cannot fully replace traditional methods of analysis.
Interestingly, in recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in attention to questions of authorship and authenticity in art. For example, in a recent article on the influence of personal histories on the perception of art it was discussed how modern technologies and public moods are shaping attitudes toward cultural events. This confirms that art remains a vibrant and relevant element of public life.
In recent years, artificial intelligence has been increasingly used in the analysis of artworks, which not only helps clarify authorship but also uncovers hidden details in well-known paintings. In 2025, a similar system helped authenticate several works by Spanish masters of the 16th century, while in Italy, such technologies have led to a reassessment of the attribution of a number of Renaissance paintings. These discoveries have spurred new exhibitions and academic conferences, as well as contributed to growing public interest in art history.
