We’re investigating two paintings by two giants of the 20th century: Sir Alfred Munnings, once Britain’s most expensive living artist, and Sir Winston Churchill. Fake or Fortune? s4e4: Munnings & Churchill
Munnings has been faked by some of the most notorious forgers. While the potential Churchill threatened to divide opinion. ibid.
‘Incontrovertible proof Churchill painted this scene.’ ibid. Bendor
Dead of Winter believed to be by Sir Alfred Mullins. ibid.
One of the twentieth century’s most important painters. Famed for his distinctive nudes, Lucian Freud was the most valuable living artist until his death in 2011. Fake or Fortune? s5e1, BBC 2016
Few of Freud’s juvenile pieces ever appeared on the market. ibid.
Could a painting hanging in a Scottish castle be a work by 19th century French master Paul Delaroche? Fake or Fortune? s5e2 Delaroche
A work by arguably the world’s most famous sculpture: Auguste Rodin. Could the man who created The Kiss and The Thinker also have given us this enchanting sketch of a woman dancing? Fake or Fortune? s5e3: Rodin, BBC 2016
‘I am sorry to inform you I do not recognise the hand of Auguste Rodin.’ ibid. expert
We’re going to investigate three paintings ... Portrait of Renee attributed to Willem de Kooning ... [Adolph von] Menzel: The Old General. Portrait of the Lady: Philip Mercier. Fake or Fortune? s5e4: Portraits
Can we prove that this beautiful English landscape is the work of national importance? A lost masterpiece by John Constable. Fake or Fortune? s6e1 Constable, BBC 2017
Still bears the scars of a botched makeover. ibid.
‘In our opinion it is indeed a genuine authentic compositional sketch by John Constable’. ibid. expert
For the first time we travel to Australia where we’re on the trail of a painting believed to be by one of the country’s most famous artists – Tom Roberts. Fake or Fortune? s6e2: Tom Roberts
Born in Dorset in 1856 Roberts emigrated down under with his family in 1869. ibid.
Tom Roberts left Australia in 1881 aged 25 and travelled to London to enrol at the Royal Academy of Arts. ibid.
It is by Tom Roberts. ibid.
We’re on the trail of two pictures believed to be by one of the world’s most sought-after artists: Paul Gauguin. Fake or Fortune? s6e3: Gauguin
Self-centered and impulsive, a hedonist. ibid.
Doubts about the authenticity of the still life are mounting up. ibid.
‘The Gauguin Committee will gladly make a statement as to the inclusion of this drawing in the catalogue.’ ibid.
Can we prove this is a work by celebrated British artist William Nicholson? A damning ruling has divided art work opinion. Our investigation takes us to the dark side of the art market. Fake or Fortune? s7e1: Nicholson
William Nicholson was one of the leading British artists of his generation. Born in 1872 he began his career as a graphic artist before forging success as a painter. Over 50 years he created nearly 900 oil paintings from informal portraits to haunting landscapes. ibid.
‘I regret to inform you that I do not find that there is sufficient evidence to attribute this work to William Nicholson.’ ibid.
We travel to France on the trail of one of the most renowned artists of the nineteenth century. Could a set of drawings found in a garden shed turn out to be by Henri Toulouse-Lautrec? Fake or Fortune? s7e2 Toulouse-Lautrec
I think Alain’s sketchbooks are by Toulouse-Lautrec. ibid.
Can we prove that this is a sketch by the great 20th century sculptor Henry Moore? Fake or Fortune? s7e3: Henry Moore
Every piece in Cornelius Gurlittt’s horde has to be researched. If it was art stolen or looted from Jewish families in World War II, it should be returned. ibid.
‘The review panel were delighted to accept this drawing into the catalogue raisonne.’ ibid. Henry Moore Foundation geezer
Two very rare portraits offer a glimpse into the lives of black Britons in the 18th and 19th centuries. In an era when much of British industry relied on slavery, our pictures are exceptional in challenging the racist conventions of the time … Can we identify the artists responsible? … by Emma Jones … [and] David Martin. Fake or Fortune? s7e4: A Double Whodunnit
We investigate a sculpture: could this curious piece of plaster be a rare abstract work by the man considered to be the greatest sculptor of the 20th century Alberto Giacometti? Fake or Fortune? s7e5: Giacometti
At least five known plasters of Gazing Head, possibly six. ibid.
The Giacometti committee continues its work. ibid.
Can we prove this is a lost work by one of the biggest names in British art, Thomas Gainsborough? Fake or Fortune? s8e1: The Lost Gainsborough, BBC 2019
Born in Suffolk in 1727, he made his reputation and his fortune as a society portrait painter. He was an artist of choice of the aristocracy. ibid.
Barker of Bath: a very competent artist who could emulate quite closely Gainsborough’s techniques. ibid.
An 18th century portrait of a young man in the prime of his life [Peniston Lamb II]. Fake or Fortune s8e2: Cosway or Lawrence?
Born in 1769 Lawrence was a child prodigy who went on to become a titan of British portraiture. ibid.
Can we prove this unusual still life is by one of the masters of 20th century art – Giorgio de Cherico. Fake or Fortune s8e3: De Cherico
Bought for a quid … a small still life of fresh fruit sat in a windblown landscape. ibid.
‘De Cherico is the second-most Italian forged artist.’ ibid. expert
It’s not De Cherico. ibid.
We investigate the highly desirable Venitian View. But there are two possible artists in the frame: Guardi vs Marieschi. Fake or Fortune s8e4: A Venetian View
We can see much stronger links between Nick’s picture and Marieschi. ibid.
If the picture was bought in London not Venice then there’s a possibility it might never have come from Italy at all. ibid.
‘It doesn’t have the distinctive touch of Marieschi or Guardi … Maybe it’s by an English artist.’ ibid. expert
Could a work discovered in the brambles of a back garden be by celebrated sculptor Henry Moore? Fake or Fortune? s9e1: A Sculpture in the Brambles, BBC 2021
There’s a forgotten artist in the frame … Betty Jewson. ibid.
We’re on the trail of one of the most popular 19th century Orientalist painters: Gerome. It’s a picture that’s been rejected for the last twenty years by the leading expert on Gerome. We’ll uncover new evidence that questions the original decision. Fake or Fortune? s9e2: Gerome
This small oil on canvas is called Arab at Prayer. ibid.
‘This painting is indeed an early work by Gerome.’ ibid.
Can we prove this is a lost work by celebrated Victorian artist Sir Edward Landseer? Fake or Fortune s9e3: Landseer
‘The painting Time of War is not by Sir Edward Landseer.’ ibid. expert
Can our investigation prove that a painting found on ebay is really a lost work for George III? Fake or Fortune s9e4: Benjamin West
‘A really interesting picture … It absolutely feels like a Benjamin West.’ ibid.