I think Nick saying the painting is more important to him as a lovely reminder of a childhood... is priceless.

This show is ridiculously fabulous! Thank you so much for posting to KZfaq!

Nick said at the beginning that if it were up to him, he'd keep it in the family. I'm happy for him that (presumably) he got to. And the provenance will make for an even more interesting family story. I love your show!

This result is obviously so satisfying for the owner. He gets to keep and enjoy a painting he truly loves without the burden of family members bugging him to sell it because it is disgustingly valuable. He certainly looked ‘tickled pink’ at the result to me. 🎉🎉❤

This series is like Agatha Christy’s mystery of the art world, except no murders, except of the art owners dreams. 😉

Wow! Very British style detective story. Very professional, full of details and never boring. So nice to hear when British people pronounce correctly Italian names. At the end, Mr Hopkins looks to be almost relieved by learning that the painting is not that highly valuable. So, he can keep it within his family as a heirloom dear to his heart.

This is the one and only show that never disappoints, regardless of the outcome of the painting.

Nick seems like a down to earth guy who's enjoying the ride and really enjoyed it. The experience enriches the painting.

Beyond grateful that a show like this exists. 😍

Look at the bright side. Now his brother won't ask him to sell it.

Great episode, though IDK about the final conclusion about it being a British artist. The reasoning seemed somewhat implausible. To assume that someone would go to the lengths of faking a little known detail of a magisterial stamp of FLORENCE (note not Venice) on what was supposed to be a common souvenir knock off, not a major artist, just seems unlikely. You would assume that IF they could fake little details like the seal so well, then whoever painted that painting would know enough to get not only the methods but Venice right. Second, artist of that period who did "views" often took artistic liberties (I think we were even shown some), changing buildings' proportions slightly or their positions to get a nicer composition. Some painters were more faithful to reality, and some were more willing to be a bit "creative" with some details, but only to the degree that it still remained utterly recognizable as a whole. However, taking artistic license can mean that once in while that which is painted, while visually lovely, no longer makes complete architectural sense. As to the canvas, the artist could be reusing an old canvas of better weave, scraped clean, which may account for the unusual paint layers. So, IDK, but I would not want to disregard that seal, and on such flimsy evidence assume that the painting was British. By all indications it was painted by some unknown Italian artist, probably of the school of Marieschi, who might have lived in Venice for a time, but later returned/moved to Florence. The painting could even have been painted at a later date in the artist's life, when they were painting the scene more from memory and habit.

This just exposes the silliness of art pricing. “We love the picture but it is worth 20 times as much depending on which we’ll-known artist created it”. The picture doesn’t change. It is so shallow, not about the quality of the art AT ALL. Blaargh.

I like that this expert is willing to give his opinion directly and answer questions.

When I was taught Venetian painting technique at University we were taught to put a layer of vermillion red over the gesso layer (white). Some things make you go hummm...

New favourite show to binge on. Fantastic presenters.

What a gracious man Nick is. One can only wish him many more years of enjoying his painting and that whoever looks after it after him will enjoy it as much and have as many happy memories.

The wax mark gets us back to 1808, forging that would be extremely difficult. But alot of paintings were made for tourists, I find it hard to believe to do them in time you'd use vermilion underneath, it slows the construction time. Also the dark quality of the building lowers acceptance of potential buyers. Still alot of questions!

Oh that is a beautiful painting! I'm so glad he doesn't feel obligated to sell it, it's gorgeous.

Great show! I do miss Dr. Bendor very much!

I wouldn't be so certain this was British. It could certainly have been created in Florence by an artist unfamiliar with Venetian architecture; that could account for the discrepancies the expert notes, and would not require the outlandish theory that the red stamp was some kind of effort to forge an Italian identity.

It is good that the history has been clarified. It is still a beautiful painting with a fascinating story, I am amazed that someone with so much talent was making these views like postcards. It is still a treasure!

This series has become my new favourite mystery series. It helps that I have stood on the sidewalk across from this site and so remember it well! A thing of Beauty often has no price!

These programs are so addictive! Thank you!

Very good episode. All the twists and turns. Our loving ancestors were human

Yeah, might want to check granddad's desk drawer for that wax seal stamp.

I’m not an art person, but I really enjoy this show. It’s also educating me on art, so I appreciate the mystery and the art lesson. Thanks.

I mean, after all is said and done, it IS a beautiful painting!

We´re not experts, just art lovers, but to us it was obvious from the first look that this painting was not a ´masterpiece.´ Our disagreement with the original opinions made it all the more exciting to watch. This is an excellent show and the presenters are perfect in this role.

I JUST LOVE THIS SHOW, thanks for posting, thanks for making it for so long. What a beautiful painting and what amazing artists the 2 front runners are. Only 12mins in so outcome unknown and going from history could be a fake or fortune. But it’s a wonderful piece no matter what.

Thanks for posting this episode …one I haven’t seen before … keep it up 😁

" If anything it is more Beautiful Now, than it was' said Nick Hopkins. Very special way of putting the Blow he just received, but oh so Wise and Resilient!

Great channel. Keep it up

Exciting like a thriller 😃👍

A good one again. Thanks so much.

As usual, another very good show. Thanks. I enjoyed every moment.

Such a truly enjoyable mystery. Love these FAKE OR FORTUNE videos. Luv em.

You got to give it to the Brits, they are the best television makers in the world

Whomever painted it did a beautiful job except for the building mistaken for two and the italian wax seal . I feel this was a reproduction for the tourist trade done by an accomplished artist to rival Marieschi's version for less money . There are many instances all over the world of artist and craftsman creating similar products exclusively for tourists because of the bigger net and easier sale . The color foundation is also similar albeit out of order but shows how the unknown artist wanted the ground layers to resemble Marieschi's . However you analyze it, the technique of a vanishing point reflects on Brunelleschi"s Baptistery painting c 1420.

Who would fake an unknown at the time artist? It makes no sense at all. I think this is a genuine Marieschi who made a bunch of identical paintings because they were selling well.

I highly appreciate the professional and very well done work of the production team. Very skilled video-photography with high end cameras and lens equipment,, and wonderful crips and clean audio-recordings. I wonder what kind of microphones and technique they used? The post editing and music chosen supplements the dramatic and faschinating story and history of this beautiful and creative 1700s painting- It¨s a pure pleasure to listen to Fiona Bruce and Philip Mould, who express themselves in a expressive and sophisticated language. Thank you for this captivating episode. Kind regards from Copenhagen, Denmark.

I would never get to see this show if it wasn't on you tube, thank you so much from someone who watches very little television because most of it is not fit for human consumption.

Very Instructive, Bravo !

The owner of the painting took the news extremely well.

That new camera-technique is fanTAStic!

To me,.... It's almost superfluous as to where or by whom it was painted ...it's beautiful,...and masterly done,... Thus there is it's value.

Always delightful! Thank you

I love how the x-ray gun actually looks like a x-ray gun. No need saying that I want one. Fabolous Show btw.!

Very interesting painting, history and the research in this documentary. Thank you for sharing

Absolutely brilliant!! Thank you!!

it is a lovely painting and not the result 'hoped for' but they still get it far back with quite a story and an interesting story thats not a 100% figured out but almost more intriguing because its more mysterious

The basilica of Santa Maria della Salute Is not by Vincenzo Scamozzi, how it is said, but by the most important Venetian baroque architect, Baldassarre Longhena.

I absolutely love this show! I am hooked on it like a fine piece of art hanging on a wall. I binge watch this show.

I agree with many others that Mr Hopkins was in several ways relieved by the result and that it throws light on his family as well as the painting - by Major Gubbins? What a terrific piece of investigation by our two principal sleuths as well as the technical wizards and what a valuable piece of provenience to go with the picture. He should stick a Vintage Cannelloni label on the frame.

I am so excited about these art exploration shows. I have learned a lot

The appalled expression on the face of the marble bust behind the authority on Marieschi in the last minutes of the programme is priceless....

Intriguing story filled with many twists and turns. Fun adventure and the painting is beautiful. 🌞

Nick gets to keep his painting. How marvelous. I too, think it's beautiful. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If it's beautiful (to you) then it's valuable.

One of the more intriguing episodes.

Fascinating show!Mystery...love it!

The best painting owner i ever seen. Hugs from Brazil !

Thoroughly interesting. Thank you.

I like that judge,straight up.

Just love this show. Even love the repeats

Upon further examination of this episode, I believe this painting should be attributed to Marieschi because of the following features : identical canvas size , identical vanishing point , identical angle pov , identical placement of figures in foreground, identical sizing of buildings . Look at the side by side screen shot @23:27. They are identical except for color and figure placement . Marieschi could have had apprentices do some work creating slight variations in iteration .

Love this show, so exciting

I think you missed a clue. Why does an English painting appear in the archives of a Florence probate magisterium sometime before 1808? A search of the archives for a deceased Brit might be fruitful. It's also intriguing to think about a young British artist painting it during his Grand Tour. Perhaps he went on to be famous in England? Love this show and all your previous one.

But in the end, look at what an amazing story this painting now has.

I love this show.

So, Meyer spielman purchased the painting to mark the 25th wedding anniversary. Nick is loosey goosey with dates, but does mention 1882 in re the wedding. 1882 - 1907 = 25.

Probably the best art show on the planet!

I am so hooked on this show!

It was so thoughtful for all of these historic painters to create jobs for art lovers in the 21st century. 😅

It's stilla beautifull painting to have in the family

So the good news is, the painting wont need to be sold and can remain in the family. And one can enjoy it as one had enjoyed it before

I'm hook, watched it once and now I can't stop. I don't know what it is about it that captivate me so much. J'imagine que c'est sain, intelligent, captivant, intriguant et up lifting.

Hmm. The imitator's version is more appealing than The Real Thing: the Fitzwilliiam painting less charming and rigid compared with Nick's painting. I think other applications of vermillion by Marieschi should have been examined. At any rate..the .art world is rather nutty.

I guess it happens in all families that two stories get mixed up to appear as one 🤔😊💐

love this show!:::)

I love your fake or fortune videos. How l wish there were more! But it seems the series stopped a while ago. Or has it???

The Italian seal is confirmation of it being SOLD in Italy as part of a property sale as the expert told them. It's very likely the British painter found a way of selling the painting in Italy to an unsuspecting buyer initially.

Great film

Admit it: your heart skips a beat when you hear that woman say "At 42 million..." in her distinctive accent. 😁

Isnt it odd that they never mentioned that Canaletto worked in England for a time?

49:35 how he tries to expand the picture. lol

The.supposedly forged stamp does not make sense. One would expect Venetian, not Florentine stamp. Another thing: isn't it weird that Christies' sell forgeries and that the National Gallery exhibited it as Marieschi?

This was the best of the series, so far. For me the family history is more important than who painted it.

La Salute was designed and built by Baldassare Longhena not Scamozzi.

At 41:23. Now time to carbon-date the wax of the Florence seal for traces of carbon-14. That’ll give you a nice, precise year in which the wax was produced, so a ballpark figure of when the painting was sold in the Florentine auction. It could go back further than 1808.

Why Bellotto never appeared as a suspect?

I thought the wax seal was the seal of a magistrate; perhaps the painter took it to Venice and bribed a magistrate to stamp it? Was the entire stamp forged? How did they match the exact texture and color of the wax? I have questions.

So sad! I thought it was the real thing!!! Well it still looks amazing!

I don’t love that the only Guardi painting they showed was no real comparison at all to this painting. Like not even close. Surely he painted better more elaborate pictures than that

Hi Philip I like your scarf but most of all the presentation the investigative nature of the painting featured.

Great episode. That Florentine seal should be investigate further, IMO. Are there other suspect versions of this type of wax seal around the place? Finally, I'm always intrigued by the uniquely British slant of, "What's it worth?" Whatever the Brits may think about the aesthetics of something, it always seems to get trumped by the mighty GBP!

Its a shame that, had it not been for desire to sell it, the painting would have been viewed as a priceless masterpiece for many more generations in Nick's family. Now it's looked at as an attractive copy/forgery, and Nick sees his grandfather with new and more cynical eyes. Sometimes things are better left untouched.

Nick Hopkinson looks like a handsome Charleton Heston double (the epic film The Ted Commandments). Now that would be a more interesting topic of discussion than the hopelessly third rate Venetian scene being studied here.

Oh dear. How surprising.

What a shame it’s not the picture he thought he grew up with. I know how it feels in a way growing all my life believing in certain family history only to have it proven to be different.

Wow

Just like Art Detectives