Spanish painter Ra\u00fal Berzosa, who has been commissioned for a number of philatelic works by the Vatican, said that while AI can be a useful tool for ideas or composition, it is a soulless creation.<\/p>\n
On May 8, the Vatican issued a commemorative stamp marking the first anniversary of the election of Pope Leo XIV. <\/p>\n
The stamp, issued by the Vatican City Postal and Philatelic Service, features a portrait of the Holy Father set against an image of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii, whose feast the Church celebrates on May 8. In the portrait, the Blessed Virgin looks down toward Pope Leo \u201cas a sign of maternal protection,\u201d Ra\u00fal Berzosa, the artist, explained.<\/p>\n
In a statement to ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, Berzosa reflected on this work and also delved into the creative implications of artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n
This new philatelic series marks another collaboration between Berzosa, who is from M\u00e1laga, Spain, and the Vatican, notable among which are his painting created for the commemorative stamp marking Pope Francis’ 80th birthday in 2016 and the stamp dedicated to the golden jubilee of the pontiff\u02bcs priestly ordination, produced in 2019.<\/p>\n
Berzosa\u2019s work includes the stamps for Easter released by the Vatican Philatelic Office in 2020, 2022, and 2024. In addition is the recent stamp dedicated to the composer Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, issued during the pontificate of Leo XIV.<\/p>\n
The latest stamp will be priced at 1.35 euros ($1.59) and will have a limited print run of 45,000 copies. The stamps were printed by Bpost (Belgium) using four-color offset lithography.<\/p>\n
AI \u2018doesn\u2019t live what it depicts\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe that sacred art is not merely the final result we see; it\u2018s the product of reflection. The time and effort invested are what give it the artist\u2019s personal imprint,\u201d Berzosa noted when asked about the value and appropriateness of AI-generated Catholic imagery.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve seen AI-generated images that are very beautiful or striking, yet they convey the sensation of being images seen before. AI, of course, does not feel or experience what it depicts. The artist, by contrast, leaves something of himself in every work,\u201d he pointed out.<\/p>\n
The Spanish painter noted that we are witnessing \u201ca flood\u201d of AI-generated images and videos, some in fact created using the works of human artists. \u201cI have seen my own paintings \u2018come to life and move,\u2019 and seeing them gave me a bittersweet feeling,\u201d Berzosa shared.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom what I\u2019ve seen, AI typically generates whatever grabs the most attention: perfect faces, highly dramatic lighting, or visually stunning scenes, yet they all tend to look alike,\u201d he commented.<\/p>\n
The artist also noted that throughout centuries of Christian art history, \u201can infinite number of distinct artworks and styles\u201d have emerged, something that today \u201cstands in contrast to images created with AI.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018Human discernment remains fundamental\u2019<\/p>\n
Berzosa explained that religious images \u201care not merely decorative\u201d but also serve as \u201ca tool for evangelization.\u201d This has been the historical function of images within Catholicism: to help the faithful draw closer to God and to the message of the Gospel.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith AI, there is a risk of creating images that are overly artificial or hollow, where the sacred is transformed almost into fantastical imagery. I believe that, here and now, human discernment remains fundamental,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n
\u201cTechnology can help, but human sensibility is needed to know which image is appropriate,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
However, Berzosa clarified that AI can serve as a complementary tool for artists. \u201cI don\u2019t believe that technology is the enemy of art,\u201d he said. \u201cI think that artists have always used new tools,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n
\u201cOften, viewing images \u2014 works of art as well as images created by AI \u2014 can be beneficial when seeking ideas; they can help in studying lighting or preparing compositions before beginning a work,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n
The greatest obstacle, he continued, arises when technology completely supplants human skill and talent, the artist\u2019s unique vision: \u201cAI can create viable images, but ones that require subsequent interpretation by the artist. When used well, AI can be an important complement, a tool of its time,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n
This story\u00a0was first published\u00a0by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.<\/p>\n