Maria Vittoria Baravelli Explores Photography's Deceptions in New Book 'Seducenti inganni'

Fatti principali

• Maria Vittoria Baravelli is an art and photography curator, member of the MUNAF Scientific Committee, and professor of Visual Culture.
• Her new book 'Seducenti inganni. Dalla nascita della fotografia all'intelligenza artificiale' is published by Rizzoli illustrati in 2026, 160 pages, €22.90, ISBN 9788891848024.
• The book explores the history of photography and the impact of AI on image trust, arguing that photography has always been a 'seductive deception.'
• Baravelli distinguishes between images born from an encounter with the world and those generated from its memory, stating that everything can be replicated except 'having been there.'
• She cites historical examples: Doisneau's 'The Kiss' was staged, Capa's 'Falling Soldier' is debated, and the first photograph by Niépce at Le Gras may be from 1826 or 1827.
• The 1982 National Geographic cover of the pyramids, photographed by Gordon Gahan, was altered without disclosure, damaging trust.
• Article 50 of the AI Act, effective August 2, 2026, imposes transparency obligations on AI-generated content.
• The cover features Virginia Oldoini, Countess of Castiglione, who created over 490 portraits with Pierre-Louis Pierson between 1856 and 1895; Mario Cresci revisited them in 'I rivolti' (2013).