An interdisciplinary University of California, Riverside research team is trying to apply facial-recognition software to help identify unknown subjects in portrait art. Many pre-19th century European portraits were of important people. However, much of the information about the people in the paintings was lost over time. The challenge for the researchers in identifying these people will be calibrating the technology—designed to work with 3D faces—to work with 2D art, some of which are representational rather than photographic likenesses of subjects. The scientists will start by comparing 3D works, such as sculptures and death masks, in which the subject is known. The researchers will then test portraits of known subjects against unidentified portraits. They say their project will provide a greater understanding of the art and the history of that era, such as making previously unknown connections between a nobleman and religious or political leader in that era. If successful, the researchers expect that facial-recognition technology could be a standard tool for art conservation; architecture; and paleography, the study of ancient writing. The researchers plan to develop a website and a museum exhibition showing how their technology works. (PhysOrg)(University of California - Riverside)
