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Arts & Communication

ARTICLE
Limitations and possibilities of digital

restoration techniques using generative
AI tools: Reconstituting Antoine François Callet’s

Achilles Dragging Hector’s Body Past the Walls of Troy

2
2
1
Charles O’Brien , James Hutson *, Trent Olsen , and Jeremiah Ratican 3
1 Department of Art, Art History, and Design, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, Alabama,
USA
2 Department of Art History and Visual Culture, College of Arts and Humanities, Lindenwood
University, Saint Charles, Missouri, USA
3 Department of Art, Media, and Production, College of Arts and Humanities, Lindenwood University,
Saint Charles, Missouri, USA

Abstract

Digital restoration offers new avenues for conserving historical artworks, yet presents
unique challenges. This research delves into the balance between traditional
restoration methods and the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, using
Antoine François Callet’s portrayal of Achilles Dragging Hector’s Body Past the Walls
*Corresponding author: of Troy as a case study. The application of Easy Diffusion and Stable Diffusion 2.1
James Hutson technologies provides insights into AI-driven restoration methods such as inpainting
(jhutson@lindenwood.edu) and colorization. Results indicate that while AI can streamline the restoration process,
Citation: O’Brien C, Hutson J, repeated inpainting can compromise the painting’s color quality and detailed
Olsen T, et al., 2023, Limitations features. Furthermore, the AI approach occasionally introduces unintended visual
and possibilities of digital restoration discrepancies, especially with repeated application. With evolving restoration tools,
techniques using generative AI
tools: Reconstituting Antoine adaptability remains crucial. Integrating both AI and traditional techniques seems
François Callet’s Achilles Dragging promising, though it is essential to maintain the artwork’s inherent authenticity. This
Hector’s Body Past the Walls of Troy. study offers valuable perspectives for art historians, conservators, and AI developers,
Arts & Communication, 1(2): 1793.
https://doi.org/10.36922/ac.1793 enriching discussions about the potential and pitfalls of AI in art restoration.
Received: September 11, 2023
Accepted: November 1, 2023 Keywords: Digital restoration; Generative artificial intelligence; Stable diffusion;
Inpainting techniques; Synergistic techniques; Art restoration
Published Online: November 8,
2023
Copyright: © 2023 Author(s).
This is an Open Access article 1. Introduction
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution Digital innovations have ushered in transformative approaches to cultural heritage
License, permitting distribution,
and reproduction in any medium, preservation, introducing capabilities such as three-dimensional modeling of historical
provided the original work is cities and interior spaces [1,2] . Early digital twins and virtual environments enabled a
properly cited. deeper exploration and understanding of heritage sites and artifacts for both scholars
Publisher’s Note: AccScience and the general public [3,4] . The integration of 3D scanning and photogrammetry stands
Publishing remains neutral with out, adeptly digitizing collections like the sculpture displays of the Uffizi Galleries . Such
[5]
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional digital resources, in conjunction with industrial tools, have been instrumental in real-time
affiliations. monitoring of historical sites, proactively addressing potential deterioration concerns [6,7] .

Volume 1 Issue 2 (2023) 1 https://doi.org/10.36922/ac.1793