  We present here a new image inpainting algorithm based on the Sobolev
gradient method in conjunction with the Navier-Stokes model. The original model
of Bertalmio et al is reformulated as a variational principle based on the
minimization of a well chosen functional by a steepest descent method. This
provides an alternative of the direct solving of a high-order partial
differential equation and, consequently, allows to avoid complicated numerical
schemes (min-mod limiters or anisotropic diffusion). We theoretically analyze
our algorithm in an infinite dimensional setting using an evolution equation
and obtain global existence and uniqueness results as well as the existence of
an $\omega$-limit. Using a finite difference implementation, we demonstrate
using various examples that the Sobolev gradient flow, due to its smoothing and
preconditioning properties, is an effective tool for use in the image
inpainting problem.
