Worth mentioning is that the Wildenstein Institute is now shut down, after serious doubts about their impartiality was shown, and more importantly, after 30 million pounds in stolen artwork was found in their institute. Oh, and they're also being charged with about 500 million in tax fraud.

I can't properly draw a stick figure, yet I find this program series fascinating. The search for truths is itself, fascinating further, Im learning a bit about art from the very best. Thanks for all your hard work!

Your speaking, expressive delivery, Philip is so so so warm, full of life and the appreciation of Beauty on this planet. Bless you and yours. I also very much love Fiona and her love and passion.

Putting discussion of the results below to avoid spoilers just in case my post appears anywhere early on in the comment list. Wonderful episode as always, and even more than the art, I was especially captivated by the tale of Steffie's grandfather. Very moving--and educational. I've never heard about the Reich's plans for Great Britain once they invaded. Chilling enough to hear that there was such a gruesome list... but to learn one's grandfather was on it! My father's relatives died anonymously, like millions of others, which is more horrific obviously, but there is something so malicious and sterile about writing out such a roster of desired victims like a frickin' grocery shopping list. A shame about James's piece, but how lovely for Steffie! The sketch went for $924K, three times its estimate.

The owner of the false attribution really took the news standing up. He looks well-heeled but still that would be disappointing. One wonders how one would handle such news oneself. I don’t think I would be as stoical as he. Superb episode. Authenticating works clearly comes down to a lot more than the opinion of an expert. It seems that there are a lot more tools at hand today than merely expertise and provenance to draw upon. Amazing sleuthing!!

Now I understand why forgers are succeeding and why authentic paintings are being refused, and is because it's just based on visual appraisal instead of an in-deep research.

So happy for Steffie.

I wish they would do follow ups on what happened next. What did it sell for?

A new auction record for a print by Paul Gauguin was achieved when ​‘Crouching Tahitian Woman Seen From The Back’ sold for £577,250 ($924,466), over three times the estimate (£180,000-220,000).

Always when it's about a great master, I know it'll be an extremely interesting investigation!

Fascinating journey, as always, and what a great result for the team, and especially for Steffie. The Nazi's were very precise with their lists... Most of my father's family were on such, some because of prominence, but most simply for being Jewish and the majority did not survive the Holocaust. I am here because my mother's family hid my father up in their attic, inside a false ceiling space, for three whole years until the end of that war. The entire family's lives being at daily risk during that period. They all survived, despite suspicions by the occupiers and two pre-dawn raids that fortunately discovered nothing. Like all the others, my paternal grandparents house and valuables were simply appropriated by the Germans. The family were certainly not massively wealthy but definitely comfortably upper middle class, and as my grandfather was a professional concert musician, they moved within artistic circles. Who knows what little recognised treasures, if any, they then possessed!? I guess we will never know. As to the Still Life, now attributed to 'one of'* Gauguin's contemporaries; it's still a beautiful piece, and of that period and 'artistic'set', so I was surprised that the valuation was so low. Is it so devalued because of the 'heinous crime' of the forged signature? { * Is there any way- brush strokes etc.- the picture could be confirmed as being by one of these others? } Surely Gauguin, were he present today and sitting around a table of these same artists, would have been utterly astounded at the prices his works, and even his discarded sketches, now command. One wonders whether, he being intimately acquainted with the vicissitudes of poverty, might have {Posthumously!} even encouraged his former friends to make use of his signature if that then secured them a roof overhead and full belly! 🤔😄

Even the most renown forgery experts can’t always succeed at determining what’s a fake or not. Some forgers really are that good.

The background and 'human interest' stories behind these works are always an interesting part of this series.

Charles Lavalle and Emile Bernard were tremendous artists. I certainly know who they are. My grandmother was trained in Paris and met all these great names. Later she painted impressionist landscapes . I really don't know who trained her, but I know she spent time in Paris learning from the impressionists, she died before I was born. But one of her paintings reminded me of Pissarro or an Early Gaugiin

I love these shows. So interesting.

rejecting a painting or sketch doesnt mean it isnt authentic. those who deny its authenticity will keep track of it and wait to purchase the picture at a fraction of its value by the discouraged owner

When there was confusion about whether they are oranges 🍊 or peaches 🍑, I knew there was going to be trouble.

I adore this series but the spoilers the start are infuriating

Wonderful finish…great detective work as usual…well done…

The Wildenstein Institute actually got it right with that Gauguin sketch! See, if one has an airtight provenance trail, this haughty Parisian bastion will gladly declare the work of art in question as authentic. Being an authority figure can sometimes be exhausting and annoying-everyone fears you, secretly hates you or outright fights you. I know that from personal experience. I can’t imagine that the Wildenstein Institute isn’t vexed in the same way by so many rich and powerful people who demand that their works of art are authentic. Well, you need that provenance trail!

The yellow "squiggle" on James' painting sure looks like a word to me. Capital A followed by some letters that could spell Augustin. There is even a dotted "i". Also it is not in line with the table edge but is aligned with the edge of the painting, horizontally like a word would be. Check it out

Great show. Love it as an artist myself.

45:07 the number doesn't match! frame says "180" - exhibition catalogue says "190" ... for doing full due diligence there should be a look at what was listed as "180" in the catalogue and that picture found and checked at rear if that one says "190" on the frame

Art is so subjective! Art is in the eye of the beholder… I paint, has anyone seen my paintings besides my family, friends, and maybe some co-worker’s? No! So I’m not a priceless artist according to this show. But my family values my work. And maybe someday someone will. I’m the meantime I will continue to paint for myself, and grow. Someday I may create an Instagram or yt. But I don’t need Sotheby’s to tell me what art is!

I love this program. I understand there is a new series coming in 2023. Can someone confirm?

Amazing detective work!

Wonderful !

Excellent program and job well done.

Some really nasty comments below: never seen such spite before. Makes one hesitate to read them. I found the programme fascinating and that is enough for me. Thank you, Fiona and Philip.

That was a great episode. Fake and Real art by Paul Gauguin and a Nazi secret book of names as well. Very exciting.

The expression on that girls face is very telling. Its interesting how you include that disturbing photo without even saying that perhaps raping children is bad.

Greatest show ever!

There is one problem with the drawing in that the 1928 Basel catalogue repertories the drawing under the No. 190, when the label for that exhibit refers it as a No 180 ?

With all due respect. Just because Fiona hasn't heard of Bernard, doesn't mean she should suggest that he is an unheard of artist. He was good friends of van Gogh's, and his meetings with him are well documented. There is even a very rare photo of Bernard and possibly the back of Vincent sitting at a table.

For the crouching Tahitian, the cut sketch does not have the very distinct horizontal line just below the right hand that starts from outside and crosses into the skirt that is present in the whole page.

They shouldn’t give false hopes nor “investigate” a clearly fake art. I’m not expert in Gauguin , but took me 3 seconds to notice that a clear fake

The still life might be by Louis Anquetin. Maybe that's not a squiggle. I kinda read Anquetin's signature in that squiggle. Even twice. It's hard to tell in low resolution.

55:46 What a wonderful feeling. She hasn't sold it yet

I just watch these episodes for the scarves

Does anyone know if it has gone to auction yet, and if so where did it go to, and what did they pay?

Good God they even synchronize their walking!

The Sketch: I find the Provenance to be worth far more that an Individual or Institution. For Egos really do taint the truths. ✨ (I think/feel the Painting is fabulous.). ... not at all bothered by the opinions of the others. It's authentic in my mind.

Now I'm interested in Paintings..

One possibility that occurred to me.... Gaugains' friend and fellow painter sold several (6 ?) Gaugains to an auction house after his death. What if this other painter thought he knew Gaugains style well enough to forge a few to pick up some quick money when the Gaugains work would be going up in value? Who would question his friend over just a few paintings?

I have always wondered how the heck did he get his paints, brushes, medium, canvas - way out in Tahiti ?

so, - the wildenstein institute approved the sketch - thank God the grandfather wildenstein had never got a chance to see it, and declare it a "fake" hohoho

To be honest I also thought since the beginning that the still-life was not by Gauguin. The colors were not bright enough as we know his paintings have.

If Gaughan did that sketch on the title shot I will eat my hat.

Could it be this is a later work by Ganguin ? Perhaps explains why the signature is shakey and appears not authentic.

I can't ignore the intuitive feeling I get that the Painting is actually a Gaughan, I'm getting a visual of him applying the signature and dedication with a focus on it being "done well", as he had some extra interest in the Recipient, he had an appreciation for the man and possibly also his family. This painting will come to be realized as Authentic, through some paperworks, possibly a letter in his own handwriting. I'd be curious to know if anything has transpired since this filming. I wish the owner well, would encourage him to readjust his Thoughts and Feelings on the painting, and apply a strong belief feeling, a knowing level, and "let it manifest", because, it is Absolute", the "Law of Attraction" is Powerfully Absolute. ✨ Best Thoughts ...

…and I cried …

There are a lot of reimagined Gaugin paintings on the internet.

The Wildenstein committee is so frenetic.

On his trip through the ocean did he do art with a traveler from Hawaii cause the flower in the ear is a tradition.

My niece is a natural artist like my father…y her dad once said,she got it from me but she was in a catholic Universidad the oldest Spanish school in Asia(most Pres went or not the American established one) …she switched to pharmacology course (grad y certified)into another catholic college in the same ciudad ; yes it was expensive the Art School was 😂; y it’s hard to live off with that course…that’s what I thought though my gf then wanted me to take it( she is teacher in NY fr our lowly archipelagic town or a retired 😢 a man artist a musically cultured 😊)

These people do realize that someone's signature can look different, that it doesn't always look exactly the same, and isn't always perfect right? 🤔 My signature and initials look VASTLY different when i'm in a rush and don't care what it looks like versus when i'm actually taking my time and care what it looks like- in fact sometimes while i'm in a rush I don't even do my entire name whereas when I care it's fully spelled out and immaculate. Tbh if I didn't know it was my handwriting i'd think it was two different people that's how vastly different it can look 🤷🏻‍♀️ So just because the two aren't EXACTLY the same doesn't automatically mean one isn't genuine plus if the one was actually a fake then the person who made the fake would actually TRY to make it look genuine (i've seen fakes that look real that's how good some counterfeits are) versus this mess. Obviously this doesn't prove it's real but it also doesn't prove it's fake either it's literally people just guessing and their opinion not fact 🤷🏻‍♀️

Am I the only one OCD about their needing to send these pictures to Julian?

Whoever “investigated” that sketch book drawing, initially, and the rejected it….I bet this is their favorite episode of Fake or Fortune. or not

Can they do a DNA test on it and see if if a gauguin's tested if any of his skin cells on there any other fluids of his on there

what a great show... thanks

Don't laugh, but I knew the sketch was Gaughin the minute I saw it. It is so much like the painting that it screams authenticity.

The problem with these indigent artists is, after their deaths their agents went round their ateliers and "finished" stuff. There's some particularly nasty Cézannes in the Tate. When you read the labels you see the Tate thinks they're nasty too. Too me the most important gauge is is it beautiful? The oranges aren't the Tahitian lady is. In the book it's "Le" Seigner, on the painting it's "au". It makes more sense on the painting, and could be a typo in the book.

So what did Steffie get for her drawing? Enough to quit nursing?

👍👍👍

YAY now if only Rashid Sunook would return the Parthenon marbles.

To good to be a 'Churchill'.

One cant help but to laugh at Phillip's buffoonery at times, the way in which he foists and then crumples the letter which he previously glorified as the 'vindicating evidence' does make one shudder - Also is this the only episode in which Fiona Bruce doesnt speak a foreign language or reminisce on her time studying in Paris?

Maybe you should change the name of this show from Perspective to 'It Ain't Art Unless it is Worth Millions'.

Wow, these comments are on 🔥

I guess there are crisis meetings and "crisis meetings".

Peaches or oranges? It's all so confusing.

How come they take the labels on the back as genuine ???????

Boy if you compare his artwork to the artwork of Hawaii artist .it unreal .

👍

So good of them to show the outside of the house in which the Six Peaches painting can be found. It makes things so much easier for would be thieves.

A Danish friend of my family was a close descendant of Gauguin's Danish wife, whom he abondoned. He treated his wife and children badly and spent a lot of time away from them before going to Tahiti and abandoning them for good. What a rotten person. But can we see any of that egocentricity and disdain for other people in his art? Should it matter?

I don't find Gauguins art very attractive, and I especially don't like Picasso. Rembrandt, Turner and Vermeer would be my favourites and Landseer's animals are unmatched. Realism rules for me.

Fiona actually felt compelled to count the oranges? And to what end, pray tell?

Love watching this show but hate the annoying commercial that bursts out in your face at three times the volume. Quite unnerving.

Love Gauguin.

The sketch really doesn't add up to me, the discrepancy in numbering - surely someone should have picked that up? I also wouldn't say it lined up perfectly the shoukder was a little off, any forger would've done all the homework in copying all the irregularities on the periphery

I’m proud of the people, and the efforts made to find all the art the Nazis stole. I’m glad that even today the search still continues. And that stolen works of art are still being repatriated where they belong.

I swear he is stuck on 200,000 pounds. Gauguin! an unknown! Is he only allowed to say 200,000 pounds for all of them? Why didnt they take a flake of paint from a positive one and this one and compare. They have done it before. Maybe the peaches will eventually be proven as Gauguin. Lets hope.

🎉😊❤😅

A lot of art ‘critics’ in the comments down here. People can be so vitriolic and full of hate, no wonder painters and other artists hate people like these

Actually, I really like that Lene Dehaan painting at 26:36! lol! His colour was better than Gauguin's

Artists and the whole art market is dodgy 🤣But a whole lot of fun.

As a statue, outside the BBC, is the subject of attack, due to the sexual nature of it's creator, what are we to think of works like this, created by a man who had sexual relationships with girls as young as 13? I honestly don't know the "correct" response - though, I suspect that, in the current climate, it does not look good for anyone putting these works on their walls!

Heartbreaking to know that the Artist died impoverished and never got to bask in the admiration that we now have for their work, not to mention the money that is now being made over their backs.. Really sad.

Is it just me ,or does anyone else hate the ornate ,fat gold frames on these works of modern art? I really think they detract from the simple elegance of the paintings.

All the paintings by Gauguin should have a add on “ probably underaged sexual explanation victim a over rated pedo”

200 million for that are you kidding me the picture on my refrigerator must be worth at least 60 million then and it's a lot newer not old and falling apart mine is definitely authentic, because I recognize my five-year-old signature are there any opening bids for 14 million dollars🎨 I've got a Play-Doh sculpture willing to part with for about 18 million

Well if you've had too much to drink wouldn't that change your handwriting? Go figure.

Why are cold and heartless just want to own it another human being probably didn't consent to be painted portrait disgusting and evilness.

you tell terriblee lies about him leaving his wif

As someone who has advanced degrees in Art History..connoisseurship...is one of the most ridiculous things on earth....some fool who thinks they are "experts" based solely on their "eye' make or break a work of art. The Gauguin woman is a fool.

The narrator means great western/european art by white male artists.

That barrow boy’s faux posh accent is hilarious! In a righteous world he’d be a dealer in Elvis on black velvet paintings.

@ 1:05: Who but the most pretentious would wear a scarf on a train?

Will you marry is overvalued. By hundreds of millions.