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A History of Art Forgery

...which might be considered preferable to the probably innocent but misguided matricide performed by this artist in an attempt to improve upon a family portrait by Joshua Reynolds:





ABOVE LEFT: The Misses-Payne by Sir Joshua Reynolds, as the picture was before it was cleaned, (Courtesy of the Trustees of the Lady Lever Collection, Port Sunlight).

ABOVE RIGHT: Mrs. Payne and Her Two Daughters — The overpainting removed. (Courtesy of the Lady Lever Collection, Port Sunlight).

An original painting can often undergo many changes over the years, as a result of restoration and of “cosmetic embellishments” made to it by its owners, or by restorers. These additions or deletions may question its authenticity. In this case, an overzealous restorer, probably in an effort to make the Reynolds’ painting more saleable, obliterated all traces of the older mother of the attractive two girls. Thanks to modern x-ray detection techniques, the maternal figure was discovered hiding beneath the surface and she was restored to her rightful place in the family some years later.

Kurz, Otto. Fakes — A Handbook for Collectors and Students. New Haven: Yale University Press 1948



Intro  (1)  (2)  (3)  (4)  (5)  (6)  (7)  (8)  (9)
(10)  (11)  (12)  (13)  (14)  (15)  (16)  (17)
 (18)  (19)  (20)

Look for updates to this exhibit every week.

Also visit the companion to this exhibit: FABULOUS FAKES



Special thanks to people without whom this exhibition would not have been possible: Thea Eichler, NRCA; Billie Tucker, New Rochelle Library; Ivar Hyden, Backstreet Gallery and all the contributing artists.

Additional information about the availability of Fabulous Fakes, the History of Art Forgery or any of the works in the exhibition may be obtained by contacting The New Rochelle Council on The Arts by email or by calling 212-529-2025. More information on the NRCA can be found by connecting to the internet and clicking here.
NRCA

Fabulous Fakes and A History of Art Forgery © J. L. Dolice, 2001, 2003.
All images in this presentation may not be copied, stored in any electronic retrieval device or used in any way without permission in writing. ISBN 0-935901-51-5.

Art Forgery Art Haus