How Many Figures Are Depicted in This Painting? The Prado Museum Utilizes A.I. to Discover the Answer.

Photo credit: www.smithsonianmag.com

With the help of a tech start-up, the Madrid museum is enlisting technology to quantify large crowds in its artworks and boost visitor engagement

Eli Wizevich – History Correspondent

April 24, 2025 11:04 a.m.

Celebration of the Ommegang in Brussels: The Procession of Our Lady of the Sablon, Denis van Alsloot, 1616
Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

The story of St. Ursula, who reportedly set off from England in the fourth century with a retinue of 11,000 virgin companions, is wrapped in mystery and intrigue. The precise motivations behind her journey—whether a quest for marriage or a pilgrimage—remain unclear. However, the dramatic narrative takes a tragic turn when the group meets their end at the hands of the Huns upon arriving in Cologne, Germany.

Despite the somber conclusion, St. Ursula has been immortalized in art and legend. One noteworthy piece is St. Ursula With the 11,000 Virgins, painted around 1490 by an artist referred to as the “Master of the 11,000 Virgins.” Visitors to the Prado Museum may be disappointed when attempting to count the virgins depicted in the artwork, as only 139 figures are actually painted, far from the legendary number.

This unconventional counting challenge is part of a new initiative at the Prado called “Counting the Prado.” This program collaborates with Sherpa.ai, a tech start-up specializing in artificial intelligence. Their algorithm has been designed to identify and tally objects and figures within selected works of art, enhancing viewer engagement and interaction.

For artworks like St. Ursula With the 11,000 Virgins, counting to 139 might be manageable for a keen observer, but other paintings pose a greater challenge. Consider Celebration of the Ommegang in Brussels: Procession of the Guilds and Celebration of the Ommegang in Brussels: The Procession of Our Lady of the Sablon, also by Denis van Alsloot, which features over 1,700 figures combined.

The Prado Museum’s new approach is designed not only to enhance social media engagement but also to encourage deeper observation of details that often go unnoticed. This initiative aims to invite the public to scrutinize artwork and its multitude of characters, fostering a new appreciation for the complexities of each piece, as noted by Artdaily.

Events portrayed in these artworks, such as parades and festivals, offer a fitting backdrop for the AI’s counting capabilities, as stated by Sherpa.ai. The overarching goal of the project is to breathe life into the museum’s collection by focusing on details where quantity and crowding play a vital role.

The Prado has consistently led the way in utilizing AI technology to broaden access to its vast array of artworks. In 2019, the museum implemented AI to furnish visitors with enhanced context regarding various pieces, intending to support non-expert audiences in achieving a deeper understanding by customizing information based on their prior knowledge, according to an official statement

While art historians experiment with AI in more innovative ways, such as restoring lost masterpieces, the Prado’s approach remains focused on practicality. As Sarah Cascone pointed out in Artnet, the museum’s strategy highlights how AI can assist in improving our capacity to perceive and understand numerical contexts within art.

Source
www.smithsonianmag.com