Researchers create AI-based tool that restores age-damaged artworks in hours

By slashing time and cost of restoration, technique could be used on paintings not valuable enough for traditional approach

The centuries can leave their mark on oil paintings as wear and tear and natural ageing produce cracks, discoloration and patches where pieces of pigment have flaked off.

Repairing the damage can take conservators years, so the effort is reserved for the most valuable works, but a fresh approach promises to transform the process by restoring aged artworks in hours.