How to restore damaged artworks using AI
09 Mar 2026

Traditionally, art conservation has been a painstaking affair, often involving the best pieces due to the costs involved.

However, with the advent of artificial intelligence, that's changing - we are now looking at a future where damaged artworks can be restored quickly and cheaply.

The technology can turn centuries-old damage into pristine artwork within hours, bringing art closer to the masses.

The challenge of traditional restoration
#1

Traditional art restoration is extremely difficult as paintings have been subjected to centuries of wear and tear.

Cracks, discoloration, loss of pigment, etc., are issues that require a lot of manual labor to fix.

This makes restoration economically viable only for high-value works, with many damaged pieces locked away from public view due to prohibitive costs.

The AI revolution: AI-generated restoration masks
#2

The breakthrough technique developed by MIT researcher Alex Kachkine employs generative AI inpainting tools, along with high-fidelity inkjet printing.

The method involves creating precision-printed polymer film masks that overlay damaged areas of paintings.

These masks digitally reconstruct missing portions without permanently altering the original work, thus allowing future tweaks if required.

Key advantages of this technology
#3

AI-powered restoration has several advantages over traditional methods.

It cuts down restoration time from months or years to just hours and minimizes labor and material costs, making it feasible for moderately valued artworks.

AI also ensures precision by closely matching the original style and color palette, while leaving options for future conservation techniques.

Complementary AI tools for photo restoration
Tip 1

Beyond paintings, many AI tools help restore photographs and other images.

Tools like AIEnhancer deliver natural-looking results with a simple workflow; LetsEnhance offers an affordable web-based platform; HitPaw serves as a desktop app with multiple models; Picsart blends photo restoration with creative editing; and MyHeritage delivers fast mobile and web apps for beginners looking for quick results.