AI Identifies Holbein Drawing as Possible Anne Boleyn Portrait

At the University of Bradford, researchers employed AI facial recognition technology to examine preparatory sketches by Hans Holbein the Younger housed at Windsor Castle. This model, which had previously uncovered a lost Raphael artwork, indicates that a drawing once thought to represent Anne Boleyn may actually portray her mother, Elizabeth Howard, showing a 75% resemblance to Elizabeth I. Another artwork, dubbed Unidentified Woman, aligns with descriptions of Anne Boleyn and exhibits a 76.9% similarity to a portrait of a 13-year-old Elizabeth I, suggesting a maternal connection. Led by Karen Davies and published in Heritage Science, the study utilizes biometric analysis to clarify longstanding questions regarding sitter identities. The Unidentified Woman sketch, created on pink paper, was exclusively used by Holbein during his second visit to England (1532–1543), coinciding with Anne's rule. These results correspond with recent infrared examinations of a portrait at Hever Castle, which revealed alterations to Anne's hands to dispel witchcraft allegations. Currently, Hever Castle is hosting an exhibition featuring approximately 30 representations of Anne Boleyn.