Artist Bas Uterwijk uses artificial intelligence software to
bring historical characters to life.
Is this artificial intelligence or a time
machine?
as Uterwijk, an Amsterdam-based visual designer, is using AI to
create extremely lifelike photographs of historical figures and monuments from Vincent van Gogh
and Michelangelo’s David to the Statue of Liberty. Using a program called Artbreeder, which
is described as “deep learning software”. Uterwijk, who has worked on computer games and visual
graphics for the world’s biggest companies, then “fills in the blanks” of features such as
hairstyles, clothes and eye colour. He builds his photographs based on a compilation of portraits, uses the
program to pinpoints common facial features and photograph qualities to produce an image.
“I try to guide the software to a credible outcome. I think
of my work more as artistic interpretations than scientifically or historically accurate,” the artist
tells the outlet. On Instagram, he details the many variations that go into creating his work.
Vincent van Gogh (left),
“Self-Portrait,” 1889, and an AI re-creation by Bas Uterwijk.
Queen Elizabeth I
portrait by William Segar, 1585, and an AI re-creation by Bas Uterwijk
The Statue of Liberty
1875, and an AI re-creation by Bas Uterwijk
Self-portraits of Dutch
painter Rembrandt, and an AI re-creation by Bas Uterwijk
A 1790 portrait of George
Washington and an AI re-creation by Bas Uterwijk