It’s worth doing a double take when you look at these images…
They are photos of Tom Hiddleston, Olivia Colman and Samantha Cameron along with portraits from the art world supposed to be their spitting images.
But the comparisons are not entirely flattering.
Google’s Arts Selfie feature matched the film and TV stars and former prime minister’s wife with paintings.
Hiddleston portrayed Henry V in the BBC adaptation of Shakespeare’s play of the same name, but the app suggests his perfect role could be as another monarch — he’s paired with a portrait of Spain’s 16th century ruler King Philip II
Hiddleston portrayed Henry V in the BBC adaptation of Shakespeare’s play of the same name.
But the app suggests his perfect role could be as another monarch — he’s paired with a portrait of Spain’s 16th century ruler King Philip II.
Broadchurch’s Olivia Colman, 44, may be rather disappointed with her double — a portrait of stocky curly-haired 19th century Dutch painter Gerrit Jan Michaelis by fellow artist Hendrik Willem Caspari.
Samantha Cameron, 47, was likened to the 17th century’s Henry Stuart, Duke of Gloucester, by another Dutch artist, Adriaen Hanneman.
Broadchurch’s Olivia Colman, 44, may be rather disappointed with her double — a portrait of stocky curly-haired 19th century Dutch painter Gerrit Jan Michaelis by fellow artist Hendrik Willem Caspari
The tool launched in Google’s Arts and Culture app worldwide in late 2018, having proven popular in the US — and used by the likes of country singer Dolly Parton and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again actress Amanda Seyfried.
It is free to download on the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.
To match with a painting, you take a picture of yourself which will then be compared to thousands of works of art by Google’s AI software.
People must take and upload a selfie instead of using one from their camera roll, and the technology then matches the photo to five similar faces in paintings.
Google has partnered with 650 galleries across the globe.
Samantha Cameron, 47, was likened to the 17th century’s Henry Stuart, Duke of Gloucester, by another Dutch artist, Adriaen Hanneman
The tech giant hopes that young people will use the app and learn more about art in the process.
Only users in parts of the US and in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India were able to use Art Selfie when it first launched, but it was since made available to everyone.
Other features of the app include the ability to recognise works of art and virtual tours of famous museums.
‘Your selfie becomes a doorway into art — tap on your lookalike to discover more information about it or an artist that perhaps you’ve never heard of before,’ explained product manager Michelle Luo.
‘Together with our partner museums we are constantly experimenting with new ways for people to discover and interact with art.’