Uncover Artists With Ai: Name That Painting

Finding the artist behind a painting has become much easier with the advent of image recognition apps and online search tools. There are several apps for both Android and iPhone that allow users to snap a photo of a painting and search through museum catalogues, university databases, and art history texts. These apps, such as Smartify, Magnus, and Google Lens, can identify the artist and provide additional information about the composition, date, and historical context of the artwork. In addition to these apps, online search engines like Google Images and TinEye offer reverse image search capabilities, allowing users to upload or link an image to find related websites with relevant information. While these tools have made it more convenient to identify famous artworks, lesser-known or obscure paintings may still require a more traditional approach, such as consulting art dealers, museum curators, or art historians.

Using image recognition apps, like Smartify or Magnus

Smartify

Smartify is a popular app that has partnered with museums worldwide to make their collections and tours accessible on its platform. It uses image recognition technology to identify artworks and provide users with information about them. To use Smartify, you can download the app on your smartphone and create an account. Then, when you come across a painting you want to know more about, simply open the app, take a picture of the artwork, and let the app do the rest.

Smartify also offers additional features such as recommending cultural sites and events near you based on your location. It also provides audio tours and helps you book tickets to museums and galleries, making it a comprehensive tool for art enthusiasts and travellers alike.

Magnus

Magnus is another image recognition app for art, often referred to as "Shazam for Art." With Magnus, you can take a photo of an artwork, and the app will instantly provide you with information such as the artist's name, the artwork's title, and even its price history. Magnus is powered by a combination of user contributions and AI, with manual work to verify and organise the data. This ensures that the information provided is accurate and trustworthy.

To use Magnus, simply download the app and start snapping pictures of the paintings you're curious about. The app will then provide you with the desired information, allowing you to learn more about the artwork and the artist.

Both Smartify and Magnus offer convenient ways to identify paintings and their artists. While they have extensive databases, it's important to note that they may not recognise all artworks, especially some older or lesser-known pieces. Nonetheless, these apps are continuously updating and expanding their collections to provide a more comprehensive experience.

Scrutinise the canvas and frame for clues

Examining the canvas and frame of a painting can provide valuable clues about its artist and history. Here are some instructive guidelines to help you scrutinise these elements effectively:

Firstly, carefully inspect the back of the painting. Previous owners may have left notes, auction records, or provenance details that can offer insights into the artist's identity. Look for any markings, signatures, monograms, or labels that could indicate the artist, manufacturer, or time period of the work. Artists often started signing their works around the 15th century, and while signatures are typically on the front, they may also be found on the reverse. Even if the signature is illegible, you can attempt to decipher it and search for the artist's name or compare it to known signatures in catalogues.

Secondly, examine how the canvas is attached to the frame. If the canvas appears to be stapled evenly around the frame, it was likely produced after the 1900s when canvases were mass-produced. In contrast, if the canvas is hanging loosely, it may indicate a painting created before 1600, as artists during that period were not skilled at stretching the fabric tightly. Additionally, staples replaced nails after the 1940s, so observing the type of fastener can help narrow down the time period.

Thirdly, pay attention to the frame itself. Check for any imprints or labels bearing the manufacturer's name or location. Contacting the manufacturer can provide information about the frame's origin, potentially revealing the region and time period of the painting's creation. If the frame is particularly ornate or unique, researching its style may also yield clues about its age and origin.

Lastly, if you only have the canvas without a frame, scrutinise the wooden portion of the canvas for any markings, signatures, or numbers. Numbers could indicate that the painting was auctioned or sold, suggesting the existence of records that could lead to the artist's identity.

By meticulously examining the canvas and frame, you may uncover valuable details that bring you closer to identifying the artist. Combining these findings with other research methods, such as image recognition apps or art dealer consultations, can further increase your chances of success.

Look for a signature or monogram

Artists often sign their work, so the first step in identifying the artist of a painting is to look for a signature or monogram. This may be found on the front or back of the canvas, or on the base or an inconspicuous place on the frame. Signatures may be legible or illegible, and may be the artist's full name, initials, or a monogram.

If you are unable to identify the artist from the signature or monogram, you can consult a dictionary of artists' signatures and monograms, such as John Castagno's *European Artists: Signatures and Monograms, 1800-1990*, Peter Hastings Falk's *Dictionary of Signatures and Monograms of American Artists*, or Radway Jackson's *The Visual Index of Artists' Signatures and Monograms*. These books can be found in libraries, or you can ask a librarian for help in finding other relevant books and references to online databases. You can also try making appointments at local archives, museums, or historical societies to access their resources.

In addition to these printed resources, there are also online resources that can help you identify an artist's signature or monogram. Websites such as ArtistsSignatures.com allow you to enter vague details such as one or two letters from the signature or monogram and will return all possible matches. You can also try using Google's reverse image search to identify a digital copy of the painting and find out more information about the artist.

If you are unable to find the artist's signature or monogram, or if the signature is illegible, you can try using an image recognition app such as Magnus or Smartify. These apps allow you to take a picture of the painting and upload it to their database, which contains images obtained from museums, galleries, universities, and other sources. The app will then provide you with information about the artist, such as their name, the title of the painting, the date it was created, and its size and value.

Try a reverse image search on Google

If you're looking to identify a painting using Google, you can try a reverse image search. This can be done by uploading an image in the search bar or copying and pasting the image URL in the search bar. Unfortunately, the Google Image Search tool is only available on a computer, but you can access it on a mobile device by navigating to the desktop version of Google Search.

Google's advanced image recognition technology, Google Lens, is making new forays into the art world. In June 2019, Google Lens announced a partnership with the de Young Museum in San Francisco to showcase parts of the museum's collection. In July 2019, Google began collaborating with Wescover, a platform oriented toward design objects, public and local art, furniture, and craft. This enables users to identify anonymous paintings in their WeWork space or coffee shop.

There are also other apps that use image recognition technology to identify paintings. These include Magnus, Smartify, and Shazam. Magnus is an app that allows users to take a picture of a painting and instantly identify it, along with providing information such as the artist, title, date, size, and price. Smartify has partnered with museums, galleries, and historical places to upload digitized versions of their collections, wall texts, and artist information. Shazam, an app that allows users to record a few seconds of a song and instantly identify it, has spawned endless imitations in the art world.

Take the painting to an art dealer or museum curator

If you have a painting and want to find out who the artist is, one way to do this is to take the painting to an art dealer or museum curator. Art dealers are experts in their field and will be able to help you identify the artist. They may even be able to tell you more about the painting, such as its history and how it was made.

Museum curators are also a great resource. They are knowledgeable about art and can help you identify the artist of your painting. They may also be able to provide insights into the painting's history, style, and any other relevant information.

Before visiting an art dealer or museum curator, it is a good idea to do some preliminary research. This can involve examining the painting closely, looking for any dates, signatures, or other markings that could provide clues about the artist. You can also check the canvas and frame for any distinctive features or notes from previous owners. If it is a reproduction, there may be a sticker or marking indicating this.

Additionally, consider the painting's style and subject matter, as these can provide hints about the artist or the time period in which it was created. For instance, acrylic paintings were typically only done after the 1940s, while oil paintings were the predominant medium before that. Stretched canvases that appear loose may indicate that the painting was done before the 1600s, as artists during that period were not as skilled in canvas stretching.

If you have owned the painting for a while, it is worth consulting family members who may have information about it. If you recently acquired the painting, gather as much information from the seller or previous owner as possible, including any documentation they can provide.

By gathering as much information as possible beforehand, you can provide more specific and helpful details to the art dealer or museum curator, increasing the chances of successfully identifying the artist.

Frequently asked questions