I’m an art expert — I use AI to expose sellers of fake paintings on sites like eBay

Tech

By Taylor Knight

She has an AI for fakes.

Dr. Carina Popovici, a specialist in authenticating artwork, revealed that she uses artificial intelligence to spot fraudulent paintings sold on sites such as eBay.  

Her process entails using AI technology to analyze pictures advertised on a retailer’s site that in many cases has detected a “high probability” of being “not authentic,” she told the Guardian in a story published Wednesday.

So far, the expert has unveiled 40 counterfeit paintings, including a faux work by Claude Monet, titled “Forest With a Stream” and priced at $599,000, and an alleged study by Claude Renoir for $165,000.

“The algorithm identified all of them as fakes,” she told the outlet.

“We looked today and we downloaded some images, and there were fakes all over the place,” Popovici added. “Everything that we have analyzed turns out to be not real art, a negative probability with 95% or so. 

“I’m sure that this is just the tip of the iceberg.”

Despite eBay’s “Counterfeit item policy” that states, “We don’t allow counterfeit items or unauthorized copies to be listed,” the expert was able to catch a few. 

The Florida seller behind the “Renoir” listing, who goes by Metasis on eBay, told the Guardian they do not sell fake artwork. However, the item was removed after they were contacted by the publication. 

The “Monet” listing — whose seller is based in Millersburg, Ohio — remained active. 

“I fully guarantee that the painting is an original 1867 oil on canvas signed and dated by Claude Monet. The painting is not in perfect condition and I do not have any provenance beyond me having it for over 20 years,” the eBay listing read. 

Popovici, the head of  the Swiss art authentication company Art Recognition, notified eBay in December 2023 about concerns over dishonest online sales and urged it to require “the seriousness it deserves.”

After multiple emails, the specialist still hasn’t heard from eBay, she told the Guardian — and the company’s silence and seeming indifference perplexes her.

“I tried so hard to talk to them. I’m extremely frustrated that they don’t answer. I’m really very disturbed about this. They have a responsibility. They can’t just pretend that they don’t see what is happening because there is so much of this. There are clear indications that there is a major problem there,” Popovici said.

A spokesperson for eBay told The Post that the “sale of counterfeit items is strictly prohibited” and that the company is “committed to ensuring that goods sold on our platform are authentic,” explaining:

“We do this by using multiple layers of AI technology, professionally trained eBay investigators, and buyer protection programs. eBay proactively blocked 99.2% of item violations from being published in 2023, while removing 2.7 million items from the platform following a review by our investigation teams. When counterfeit items are reported to eBay directly, we review and remove listings when appropriate.

“In this case, only one item was flagged to us and it was removed immediately,” the spokesperson concluded regarding the questioned products.

Meanwhile, Popovici’s work with Art Recognition has allowed more than 500 pieces of art worldwide to be examined for authenticity using just a photograph.

The AI system also confirmed some contested works of art, such as an 1889 self-portrait by Vincent van Gogh at the National Museum in Oslo, Norway.

“In the past, it was really difficult to spot these things because you can’t take samples from an image on the internet. But with the new technology, it’s easy. You can just download an image, and then in 10 minutes, you will know,” Popovici said.

“I think that people should be warned.”