How signature analysis works
A specialist identifying a painting always looks for the signature first. The position on the canvas, the exact letterforms, the paint used for the signature, and whether the signature appears to be integrated with the paint layer or added later — all of these are standard evidence in art signature identification.
ArtSleuth's pass does the same reasoning in a few seconds:
- Locates any visible mark — signature, monogram, inscription, studio stamp, or stencil.
- Transcribes the text, handling faded or low-contrast characters and non-Latin scripts (Cyrillic, Arabic, CJK).
- Reports where on the canvas the mark sits.
- Returns up to four candidate artists whose documented signatures best match what was read.
- Judges whether the signature paint appears integrated with the surrounding paint layer, or slightly raised over the finished surface — the latter is the classic pattern for a signature added after the fact to inflate value.
What the signature report contains
- The transcribed signature, exactly as the AI read it, plus any likely alternative readings.
- Its location on the canvas (lower-left / lower-right / verso / etc.) and an estimated size.
- A list of up to four candidate artists with percentage matches — and each artist's active dates for cross-checking against the age estimate.
- A plain-language authenticity comment on the signature itself: consistent with the claimed artist; inconsistent; possibly added later; not readable; absent.
Edge cases we handle
- Monograms — when the signature is just initials, the AI matches against documented monograms and returns candidate artists.
- Non-Latin scripts — Cyrillic, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean signatures are transcribed and romanised, with Western equivalents provided when relevant.
- Faded signatures — dim ink on dark backgrounds is enhanced before reading; remaining uncertainty is reported honestly.
- Fake signatures — integration with the paint layer is evaluated so a "signature" dragged across dried varnish can be flagged.
When no signature is present
Many paintings are unsigned. In that case, signature analysis reports an honest "no signature detected" and attribution confidence is driven by the other passes — brushwork, composition, style, and similarity to documented works. Expect broader candidate lists and lower confidence percentages; that's correct, and it's what a specialist would also report.
Read and verify your painting's signature
Upload a clear photo of the full painting plus a close-up of the signature — ArtSleuth will transcribe it and suggest candidate artists.
Upload your artworkFrequently asked questions
Can the AI verify signatures on drawings and prints?
Yes — the signature-reading pass works on any flat visual medium. Print signatures (in pencil, below the image) have slightly different expected positions, which the AI knows to check.
What if the signature is very faded?
The AI applies contrast-enhancement before reading and reports remaining uncertainty with percentage confidence. A higher-resolution close-up nearly always improves results.
Can a fake signature be detected?
Signatures that sit on top of the dried paint or varnish layer often differ from integrated signatures in reflectivity and edge sharpness. The AI flags that as a possibility, but only a physical paint-layer examination can confirm.
Do you support modern artists who use deliberate pseudonyms?
Yes — documented pseudonyms (e.g. Banksy) are handled. If the signature matches a documented pseudonym, both the pseudonym and any known legal name context are reported.