Last month, the University of Seville and museum Del Prado announced the release of Aracne, a new software program that promises to revolutionize art identity verification through science. Aracne's name is excellent because it uses the most commonly used fabrics in easel paintings to help determine the source and how the work relate to others. Most importantly, this app is free for anyone who wants to use it. Observers recently encountered more information about their development and goals with Dr. Laura Alba of Prado.
What was the driving force behind Aracne's development?
I worked in the technical research of the art department in Prado, where we identified the materials and procedures used to create art. So far, these studies have focused on analyzing preparation layers, painting layers and panels. Although these technologies are developing, methods of studying canvas have not evolved. It is possible to determine the certainty of canvas that can be studied more effectively, and the importance of the data that these studies may produce, which led us to cultivate Aracne.
Why did Prado decide to develop this software? Just do your museum have a lot of paintings that you can benefit from?
One of my tasks at the Prado Museum is to represent the canvas. In Prado's collection, canvas research was performed using X-rays, as most paintings were “recompetitive” (new canvas were followed to provide structural support). That's why X-rays are the only technology that allows us to observe the original fabric after the painting is replayed. As an expert, I know that analyzing canvas directly from X-rays can bring some difficulties and limitations. I also think that fabric analysis (especially in a collection as large as Prado) may make crucial findings in the historical study of artworks.
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Additionally, the results of earlier automatic thread counting encouraged me to start this project. That's why I contacted Escuela Técnica superior de Ingeniería in Seville in Seville and suggested to Dr. Juan José Murillo that the software he developed was typical canvas on Prado in an accurate and reliable way.
Can you explore some technical aspects of how it works?
To use Aracne, you need a 1:1 scale image where the fabric is visible. In most Prado's works we use X-rays, but you can also use any visible simple fabric weave images. After uploading the image to the program, Aracne will apply frequency analysis to automate the thread counting process on the image. The program also includes power spectral density (PSD) analysis to represent the entire canvas. These two tools provide a set of data that allows experts to identify fabrics by calculating vertical and horizontal lines, analyzing distribution histograms, measuring inclination, generating PSD graphics, and more. The current research line shows that thread count results will be further improved due to AI
The name is great, the source of the myth has not lost me. How did you arrive?
Yes, this name is great. When Juan José and I started using the software, we didn't specifically consider a name. The University of Seville initially sent me a long technical name that I don't even remember, and it was when we realized we needed something shorter, more representative. In Prado, Arachne's myth is very evident due to the fascinating paintings Rotator velázquez. While discussing with my colleagues, we realized we had found the perfect name for the program.
Your press release says that Aracne has “has achieved significant results on the attribution of the work, the dating and the origin and the relationships they have built.” What results have you seen from Aracne so far?
Thanks to Aracne, we can compare canvas accurately and clearly to help determine if they come from the same piece of fabric, or even if they are cut side by side. The painter purchased large pieces of canvas and cut them according to the needs of his commission. That's why when Aracne finds a match in the canvas of two paintings, we can determine if they originated from the same workshop and are created at the same time – details that are very relevant to us. Aracne enables us to place Adam and Eve and Europa's Rape Attributable by Rubens of Madrid to Artillery General Go to Herrera El Mozo, not Francisco Rizzi and date the portrait Anne of Austria and Philip II Sofonisba Anguissola until 1573. Aracne is now part of technical research on temporary exhibitions and long-term projects at Prado, such as those at Velázquez.
Aracne is available for free. What did the decision do?
Juan José and I and both institutions we work for the Seville University and the Museums of Seville University and the Nasset del Prado are free to use to promote technical research in any institution and to enhance collective knowledge of art history.
What is the potential of Aracne? Would it be too bold to say it might change the history of art as we know it?
I think Aracne has great potential – not only for delving into canvas, but also for use in completely different fields. While I do think it's important, I won't say it might change art history. However, we now have a new tool that actively promotes our research approach. And have an open access tool that allows research under the same conditions of different collections to provide unique opportunities for collaboration. Aracne's future is promising.
