English

Quantum computing inspired paintings: reinterpreting classical masterpieces

Quantum Physics 2025-08-22 v5 Computers and Society

Abstract

We aim to apply a quantum computing technique to compose artworks. The main idea is to revisit three paintings of different styles and historical periods: ''Narciso'', painted circa 1597-1599 by Michelangelo Merisi (Caravaggio), ''Les fils de l'homme'', painted in 1964 by Rene Magritte and ''192 Farben'', painted in 1966 by Gerard Richter. We utilize the output of a quantum computation to change the composition in the paintings, leading to a paintings series titled ''Quantum Transformation I, II, III''. In particular, the figures are discretized into square lattices and the order of the pieces is changed according to the result of the quantum simulation. We consider an Ising Hamiltonian as the observable in the quantum computation and its time evolution as the final outcome. From a classical subject to abstract forms, we seek to combine classical and quantum aesthetics through these three art pieces. Besides experimenting with hardware runs and circuit noise, our goal is to reproduce these works as physical oil paintings on wooden panels. With this process, we complete a full circle between classical and quantum techniques and contribute to rethinking Art practice in the era of quantum computing technologies.

Cite

@article{arxiv.2411.09549,
  title  = {Quantum computing inspired paintings: reinterpreting classical masterpieces},
  author = {Arianna Crippa and Yahui Chai and Omar Costa Hamido and Paulo Itaborai and Karl Jansen},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2411.09549},
  year   = {2025}
}

Comments

10 pages, 7 figures

R2 v1 2026-06-28T20:00:01.473Z