The Getty Acquires Its First AI-Generated Photograph

The Getty Museum has added an AI-generated photograph to its permanent collection for the first time. Curator of Photographs Paul Martineau has selected Amor de Calle by Matias Sauter Morera, a piece from the artist’s Pegamachos series, which reimagines a lesser-known chapter of queer history in Costa Rica. The work will also be included in Martineau’s upcoming exhibition, The Queer Lens: A History of Photography, opening in March at Craig Krull Gallery.

Sauter Morera’s Pegamachos reconstructs a moment from the Guanacaste Coast, where straight cowboys are said to have pursued clandestine encounters with young gay men from the city. The series brings this history into focus through staged AI compositions that mimic the aesthetic of analog photography.

This acquisition marks a shift in the Getty’s approach to contemporary image-making, positioning AI-generated work within the broader history of photography. Sauter Morera, who was introduced to Los Angeles audiences last year in Seguimos: Contemporary Art in Costa Rica, curated by Hannah Sloan, is represented in the US by Craig Krull Gallery. His Pegamachos project will be the subject of a solo exhibition at the gallery, opening March 22.

The Getty’s decision reflects a growing institutional interest in AI photography and its role in reinterpreting historical narratives. While some museums remain cautious about digital intervention in photographic practice, Martineau’s selection signals an expanded view of the medium—one that acknowledges the evolving relationship between technology, memory, and visual storytelling.

Sauter Morera’s inclusion in the Getty’s collection is also a significant moment for Costa Rican contemporary art, which is experiencing a surge of international recognition. With artists from the region increasingly represented in major exhibitions and collections worldwide, this acquisition underscores the dynamic contributions of Costa Rican voices to global dialogues in art and culture.

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