ISLAMABAD: A breakthrough AI-driven technique now allows damaged paintings to be restored in just a few hours, transforming the art conservation landscape.
Developed by Alex Kachkine, a PhD student at MIT, this innovative method digitally reconstructs the painting’s original appearance and applies it as a thin, removable polymer “mask” on top of the artwork.
This approach significantly reduces restoration time and cost, potentially enabling the revival of lower-value paintings often neglected due to budget constraints.
How the AI Restoration Works
The process starts by scanning a cleaned, damaged painting and using AI to create a virtual restored version that predicts the original look.
Special software then maps out thousands of damaged regions and their exact color matches needed for infilling.
This digital map is printed onto two layers of polymer film using inkjets, which are carefully adhered to the painting with conservation-grade varnish.
Importantly, the film can be safely removed in the future, preserving the original artwork underneath.
Advantages and Future Considerations
The entire restoration can be completed in about 3.5 hours—over 60 times faster than traditional methods that can take months or years.
The digital record of the mask used also provides transparency, allowing future conservators to understand the restoration precisely.
However, experts warn that paintings sealed with this mask create a microclimate that requires monitoring to prevent slow damage.
This method currently suits flat oil paintings on solid surfaces but may not work well with textured or impasto artworks.
Kachkine emphasizes that ethical considerations and close consultation with art conservation professionals are essential before applying this technique widely.
This pioneering approach sets a new standard for quicker, cost-effective, and reversible art restoration, potentially bringing many hidden masterpieces back into the public eye.
