AI analysis of Raphael’s Madonna della Rosa has revealed that the face of St. Joseph was likely painted by a different artist, possibly his student Giulio Romano, shedding new light on the collaborative nature of Renaissance workshops and revolutionizing art authentication. (Source: Image by RR)

AI-Assisted Research Uncovers a Missing Piece in Raphael’s Madonna della Rosa Puzzle

Artificial intelligence has unveiled a long-debated mystery surrounding Raphael’s Madonna della Rosa, revealing that while most of the painting aligns with the master’s distinctive style, the face of St. Joseph was likely painted by another artist. The AI analysis, using deep learning techniques and comparisons with verified Raphael works, identified subtle inconsistencies in St. Joseph’s brushwork, color palette and shading, suggesting a different hand was involved in that section of the masterpiece.

This finding, according to a story in earth.com, adds to the ongoing scholarly debate about Renaissance workshop practices, where master artists often collaborated with their students. Art historians have long suspected that Raphael’s pupil, Giulio Romano, may have contributed to Madonna della Rosa, and AI’s findings lend further credibility to this theory. St. Joseph’s face has been noted for its less refined details compared to the rest of the figures, reinforcing the possibility that another artist played a role in its completion.

The breakthrough highlights the increasing role of AI in art authentication, providing microscopic precision in analyzing brushstrokes and composition while complementing traditional art expertise. This AI-powered approach does not replace human art historians but serves as an invaluable tool in identifying artistic styles, tracing authorship, and preserving historical accuracy in centuries-old masterpieces. Experts emphasize that AI should be seen as an aid rather than a substitute for traditional authentication methods, incorporating provenance studies, pigment analysis, and conservation insights.

As Madonna della Rosa remains a celebrated Renaissance masterpiece housed in Madrid’s Museo Nacional del Prado, this discovery enriches its history and deepens our understanding of Raphael’s artistic legacy. AI’s potential to uncover hidden details in classical art continues to grow, offering new perspectives on artistic collaboration while preserving the mystique of iconic works. This technological advancement signals a new era of exploration, allowing us to revisit the past with unprecedented analytical precision.

read more at earth.com