Fake Or Fortune?

Fake Or Fortune?: Gainsborough

Report this video

Fake Or Fortune?

Gainsborough

ABC | October 9, 2016

Visual arts

Critical thinking

Classification: General

Presented by Fiona Bruce, with art experts Philip Mould and Bendor Grosvenor. The team are on the hunt for a lost masterpiece by Thomas Gainsborough thought languishing in the stockroom of a gallery or hanging on a museum wall.

Overview

Presented by Fiona Bruce, with art experts Philip Mould and Bendor Grosvenor. The team are on the hunt for a lost masterpiece by Thomas Gainsborough thought languishing in the stockroom of a gallery or hanging on a museum wall.

Report this video

More from this series

View All

The focus turns to Britain's public art collections, in which 17,000 paintings are listed as 'artist unknown'. From these Philip Mould and his research director Bendor Grosvenor identify several works they believe are by Thomas Gainsborough. They choose two paintings, the first being an 18th-century portrait of St Albans mayor Joseph Gape that Bendor thinks dates back to the artist's days as a high-society portrait painter - although he'll need to convince the world's leading Gainsborough expert. Philip's choice is a rare landscape, painted when the artist was experimenting with dreamlike scenes. But why is conservationist Aviva Burnstock troubled by a distinctive blue pigment?

Fake Or Fortune?: Gainsborough

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts, Critical thinking

The focus turns to Britain's public art collections, in which 17,000 paintings are listed as 'artist unknown'. From these Philip Mould and his research director Bendor Grosvenor identify several works they believe are by Thomas Gainsborough. They choose two paintings, the first being an 18th-century portrait of St Albans mayor Joseph Gape that Bendor thinks dates back to the artist's days as a high-society portrait painter - although he'll need to convince the world's leading Gainsborough expert. Philip's choice is a rare landscape, painted when the artist was experimenting with dreamlike scenes. But why is conservationist Aviva Burnstock troubled by a distinctive blue pigment?

Fiona Bruce joins art experts Philip Mould and Bendor Grosvenor to delve into the work of John Constable, a prime target of the forgers. He's considered the most widely faked British artist and the most difficult to authenticate.

Fake Or Fortune?: Constable

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts, Critical thinking

Fiona Bruce joins art experts Philip Mould and Bendor Grosvenor to delve into the work of John Constable, a prime target of the forgers. He's considered the most widely faked British artist and the most difficult to authenticate.

A beautiful church in the heart of the Lancastrian countryside has for over 200 years been home to a possible 16th-century Italian Old Master. But it is also at the centre of an unusual mystery.

Fake Or Fortune?: Mystery Old Master

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts, Critical thinking

A beautiful church in the heart of the Lancastrian countryside has for over 200 years been home to a possible 16th-century Italian Old Master. But it is also at the centre of an unusual mystery.

Charles Henty has been left with a working farm to run in France and a crippling inheritance tax bill to pay. The only way he can do that is by selling two paintings he owns - if he can prove they're genuine.

Fake Or Fortune?: Munnings and Churchill

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts, Critical thinking

Charles Henty has been left with a working farm to run in France and a crippling inheritance tax bill to pay. The only way he can do that is by selling two paintings he owns - if he can prove they're genuine.

Nicky Philipps, a portrait artist renowned for her pictures of the royal family, has asked the Fake or Fortune team to investigate a painting believed it to be by celebrated impressionist Pierre Auguste Renoir.

Fake Or Fortune?: Renoir

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts, Critical thinking

Nicky Philipps, a portrait artist renowned for her pictures of the royal family, has asked the Fake or Fortune team to investigate a painting believed it to be by celebrated impressionist Pierre Auguste Renoir.

Art detectives Fiona Bruce and Philip Mould investigate if three small pictures are by one of Britain's best-loved modern artists - LS Lowry.

Fake Or Fortune?: Lowry

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts, Critical thinking

Art detectives Fiona Bruce and Philip Mould investigate if three small pictures are by one of Britain's best-loved modern artists - LS Lowry.

Philip Mould has a reputation for finding sleepers; paintings that hide dark secrets. His most remarkable finds are pictures whose true authorship has been confused, masterpieces lost beneath years of dirt and over-painting. Although Philip is used to investigating other people's paintings, this time the tables are turned as Philip's own purchase is put under the microscope.

Fake Or Fortune?: Van Dyke - What Lies Beneath

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts, Critical thinking

Philip Mould has a reputation for finding sleepers; paintings that hide dark secrets. His most remarkable finds are pictures whose true authorship has been confused, masterpieces lost beneath years of dirt and over-painting. Although Philip is used to investigating other people's paintings, this time the tables are turned as Philip's own purchase is put under the microscope.

In the early years of the 20th century, spinster sisters Gwendoline and Margaret Davies spent much of their vast fortune buying the cream of European art as a gift to the people of Wales. When Gwendoline died in 1951 all the paintings in her collection were bequeathed to the National Museum of Wales. Amongst the works most proudly displayed were many by J.M.W.Turner, perhaps the nation's best loved artist. These paintings were the pinnacle of the sisters' collection, carefully selected and greatly valued. Yet within months of this extraordinary act of generosity, the authenticity of the paintings was thrown into doubt by art world experts who branded them fakes.

Fake Or Fortune?: Turner - A Miscarriage Of Justice?

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts, Critical thinking

In the early years of the 20th century, spinster sisters Gwendoline and Margaret Davies spent much of their vast fortune buying the cream of European art as a gift to the people of Wales. When Gwendoline died in 1951 all the paintings in her collection were bequeathed to the National Museum of Wales. Amongst the works most proudly displayed were many by J.M.W.Turner, perhaps the nation's best loved artist. These paintings were the pinnacle of the sisters' collection, carefully selected and greatly valued. Yet within months of this extraordinary act of generosity, the authenticity of the paintings was thrown into doubt by art world experts who branded them fakes.

Inheriting a work of art by one of the great Impressionist masters should be a joy, but for Patrick Rice it was a mixed blessing, as we find out in this opening episode. His small oil painting depicting a ballet dancer on stage has always been thought to be a work by Edgar Hilaire Degas. Unfortunately, since the 1970s, experts haven't agreed.

Fake Or Fortune?: Degas And The Little Dancer

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts, Critical thinking

Inheriting a work of art by one of the great Impressionist masters should be a joy, but for Patrick Rice it was a mixed blessing, as we find out in this opening episode. His small oil painting depicting a ballet dancer on stage has always been thought to be a work by Edgar Hilaire Degas. Unfortunately, since the 1970s, experts haven't agreed.

In this closing episode, suspicions are aroused when Philip and his researcher spot a rogue picture for sale in a South African auction house. It exudes all the classic scents of being a 'sleeper', an important picture that has been miscatalogued and offered for a very low price.

Fake Or Fortune?: Rembrandt

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts, Critical thinking

In this closing episode, suspicions are aroused when Philip and his researcher spot a rogue picture for sale in a South African auction house. It exudes all the classic scents of being a 'sleeper', an important picture that has been miscatalogued and offered for a very low price.

UK Journalist Fiona Bruce teams up with art expert Philip Mould to investigate mysteries behind paintings. Hanging in one of the most prestigious and respected art institutes in London is a picture Philip has heard of, which may hold the key to unlocking the story of the most audacious forger of all time. A man who dared to fake the work of Old Masters and made millions from his deception, until he was caught in 1945: Han Van Meegeren.

Fake Or Fortune?: Van Meergeren

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts, Critical thinking

UK Journalist Fiona Bruce teams up with art expert Philip Mould to investigate mysteries behind paintings. Hanging in one of the most prestigious and respected art institutes in London is a picture Philip has heard of, which may hold the key to unlocking the story of the most audacious forger of all time. A man who dared to fake the work of Old Masters and made millions from his deception, until he was caught in 1945: Han Van Meegeren.

In this episode, the focus falls on a painting found dumped near a rubbish tip in Ireland which turns out to be a lost work by one of America's most important 19th century artists, Winslow Homer.

Fake Or Fortune?: Homer

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts, Critical thinking

In this episode, the focus falls on a painting found dumped near a rubbish tip in Ireland which turns out to be a lost work by one of America's most important 19th century artists, Winslow Homer.

Journalist Fiona Bruce teams up with art expert Philip Mould to investigate mysteries behind paintings. It is a world of subterfuge and intrigue as they grapple with complex battles often unseen beneath the apparently genteel art establishment. Their sleuthing takes them from New York to Cairo and Cape Town as they unpick clues behind stolen and contested works of art, and unmask the work of a master forger along the way.

Fake Or Fortune?: Monet

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts, Critical thinking

Journalist Fiona Bruce teams up with art expert Philip Mould to investigate mysteries behind paintings. It is a world of subterfuge and intrigue as they grapple with complex battles often unseen beneath the apparently genteel art establishment. Their sleuthing takes them from New York to Cairo and Cape Town as they unpick clues behind stolen and contested works of art, and unmask the work of a master forger along the way.

Latest Visual arts programs

View All

War and peace, arranged marriages, and keeping the faith paint a different picture in this season finale.

Behind the Brush

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts

War and peace, arranged marriages, and keeping the faith paint a different picture in this season finale.

Ten home potters from around the country head to Stoke on Trent, the home of pottery, in their quest to become Top Potter. Over 35 days and 18 mammoth challenges, the potters must make earthenware kitchen bowls, decorative raku vases, delicate but functional chandeliers and super-sized garden sculptures. Whose work will stand up to scrutiny and whose will come out of the kiln in pieces? Judging their craft skills and creativity are two leading lights in the world of pottery; ceramic artist Kate Malone and master potter Keith Brymer Jones. Hosting the action, and holding the potters' mucky hands along the way, is Sara Cox. Across six action-packed episodes we discover the art and science of turning lumps of clay into beautiful objects. With its rich heritage, intriguing technical language and magical transformations, The Great Pottery Throw Down brings the messy and marvellous world of pottery to life.

The Great Pottery Throw Down

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts, Design and technologies

Ten home potters from around the country head to Stoke on Trent, the home of pottery, in their quest to become Top Potter. Over 35 days and 18 mammoth challenges, the potters must make earthenware kitchen bowls, decorative raku vases, delicate but functional chandeliers and super-sized garden sculptures. Whose work will stand up to scrutiny and whose will come out of the kiln in pieces? Judging their craft skills and creativity are two leading lights in the world of pottery; ceramic artist Kate Malone and master potter Keith Brymer Jones. Hosting the action, and holding the potters' mucky hands along the way, is Sara Cox. Across six action-packed episodes we discover the art and science of turning lumps of clay into beautiful objects. With its rich heritage, intriguing technical language and magical transformations, The Great Pottery Throw Down brings the messy and marvellous world of pottery to life.

Inspired by his list of Deadly 60 animals, Steve Backshall challenges a team of artists to create animal art based on real deadly scenarios from the wild.

Deadly Art

Years 7-8, 9-10 Visual arts

Inspired by his list of Deadly 60 animals, Steve Backshall challenges a team of artists to create animal art based on real deadly scenarios from the wild.

This program is a creative adventure for kids, diving into all things art. From painting to nail art, to short films and more.

Get Arty

Years 3-4, 5-6 Visual arts

This program is a creative adventure for kids, diving into all things art. From painting to nail art, to short films and more.

This program is a creative adventure for kids, diving into all things art. From painting to nail art, to short films and more.

Get Arty

Years 3-4, 5-6 Visual arts

This program is a creative adventure for kids, diving into all things art. From painting to nail art, to short films and more.

Anh is joined by Australian screen legend Sigrid Thornton for an intimate chat about the people and moments that have shaped her life, world-view and career. Will Anh be able to capture her range and her warmth?

Anh's Brush with Fame: Sigrid Thornton

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts, Personal and social capability

Anh is joined by Australian screen legend Sigrid Thornton for an intimate chat about the people and moments that have shaped her life, world-view and career. Will Anh be able to capture her range and her warmth?

Downton Abbey actor Elizabeth McGovern, Harry Potter film star Fiona Shaw, and Paralympic gold medallist Kadeena Cox sit for a new group of portrait artists.

Portrait Artist of the Year: Elizabeth McGovern, Fiona Shaw and Kadeena Cox

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts

Downton Abbey actor Elizabeth McGovern, Harry Potter film star Fiona Shaw, and Paralympic gold medallist Kadeena Cox sit for a new group of portrait artists.

The captive scholar, the true identity of the most famous portrait, and a bastion leader creates a new future for generations.

Behind the Brush

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts

The captive scholar, the true identity of the most famous portrait, and a bastion leader creates a new future for generations.

It is the grand final and the four remaining potters have just three tests left before one is crowned the winner.

The Great Pottery Throw Down

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts, Design and technologies

It is the grand final and the four remaining potters have just three tests left before one is crowned the winner.

This program is a creative adventure for kids, diving into all things art. From painting to nail art, to short films and more.

Get Arty

Years 3-4, 5-6 Visual arts

This program is a creative adventure for kids, diving into all things art. From painting to nail art, to short films and more.

Dr Karl shared his passion for life and science with Australians for decades. He shares the story that led him to broadcasting while Anh endeavours to capture his natural curiosity and enthusiasm on canvas.

Anh's Brush with Fame: Dr Karl Kruszelnicki

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts, Personal and social capability

Dr Karl shared his passion for life and science with Australians for decades. He shares the story that led him to broadcasting while Anh endeavours to capture his natural curiosity and enthusiasm on canvas.

This program is a creative adventure for kids, diving into all things art. From painting to nail art, to short films and more.

Get Arty

Years 3-4, 5-6 Visual arts

This program is a creative adventure for kids, diving into all things art. From painting to nail art, to short films and more.

This episode's famous sitters are model Rachel Hunter, actress Stefanie Martini, and Game of Thrones star Conleth Hill as the portrait painting competition continues.

Portrait Artist of the Year: Rachel Hunter, Stefanie Martini And Conleth Hill

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts

This episode's famous sitters are model Rachel Hunter, actress Stefanie Martini, and Game of Thrones star Conleth Hill as the portrait painting competition continues.

Narrated by Morgan Freeman, this documentary offers a new interpretation of the Mona Lisa portrait within da Vinci's late oeuvre. The film posits that the raging controversy about the portrait, based on conflicting reports from the 16th century, are resolved by the discovery that Leonardo painted not one, but two versions of the Mona Lisa.

The Mona Lisa Myth

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts

Narrated by Morgan Freeman, this documentary offers a new interpretation of the Mona Lisa portrait within da Vinci's late oeuvre. The film posits that the raging controversy about the portrait, based on conflicting reports from the 16th century, are resolved by the discovery that Leonardo painted not one, but two versions of the Mona Lisa.

This special film follows the winner of Landscape Artist of the Year 2017 to Jamaica, where they will paint the breathtaking view from Noel Coward's home, Firefly.

Landscape Artist of the Year: Winners Film Noel Cowards House Firefly, Jamaica

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts

This special film follows the winner of Landscape Artist of the Year 2017 to Jamaica, where they will paint the breathtaking view from Noel Coward's home, Firefly.

The boy survivor, the Maniapoto giant and the assassin who became lord of the estate leave a remarkable legacy.

Behind the Brush

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts

The boy survivor, the Maniapoto giant and the assassin who became lord of the estate leave a remarkable legacy.

It's semifinal week in Stoke-on-Trent and just five potters remain, determined to secure their place in the final. For their main make, the potters face their most technically demanding challenge yet - creating a decorative chandelier.

The Great Pottery Throw Down

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts, Design and technologies

It's semifinal week in Stoke-on-Trent and just five potters remain, determined to secure their place in the final. For their main make, the potters face their most technically demanding challenge yet - creating a decorative chandelier.

Superstar basketballer Lauren Jackson was born to play the game. She joins Anh to talk about the realities of life as an elite athlete with an international career. Anh hopes to capture her strong persona and femininity.

Anh's Brush with Fame: Lauren Jackson

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts, Personal and social capability

Superstar basketballer Lauren Jackson was born to play the game. She joins Anh to talk about the realities of life as an elite athlete with an international career. Anh hopes to capture her strong persona and femininity.

This program is a creative adventure for kids, diving into all things art. From painting to nail art, to short films and more.

Get Arty

Years 3-4, 5-6 Visual arts

This program is a creative adventure for kids, diving into all things art. From painting to nail art, to short films and more.

This program is a creative adventure for kids, diving into all things art. From painting to nail art, to short films and more.

Get Arty

Years 3-4, 5-6 Visual arts

This program is a creative adventure for kids, diving into all things art. From painting to nail art, to short films and more.

Investigative journalist Ross Kemp, actor Freddie Fox and Broadchurch star Vicky McClure strike a pose for a new group of portrait artists.

Portrait Artist of the Year: Ross Kemp, Freddie Fox, Vicky McClure

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts

Investigative journalist Ross Kemp, actor Freddie Fox and Broadchurch star Vicky McClure strike a pose for a new group of portrait artists.

The chief who took no prisoners, the first tourism guide to New Zealand, and the world of Tohunga surface with the Tarawera eruption.

Behind the Brush

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts

The chief who took no prisoners, the first tourism guide to New Zealand, and the world of Tohunga surface with the Tarawera eruption.

Kate Malone and Keith Brymer Jones set the potters a monumental task - hand-building a five-foot garden sculpture out of slabs of clay. At stake is a place in the semifinal and their designs this week are more ambitious than ever before.

The Great Pottery Throw Down

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts, Design and technologies

Kate Malone and Keith Brymer Jones set the potters a monumental task - hand-building a five-foot garden sculpture out of slabs of clay. At stake is a place in the semifinal and their designs this week are more ambitious than ever before.

Our critics visit the National Gallery of Victoria's Australian Collection. Housed in the Ian Potter Centre, it includes works by Frederick McCubbin, John Brack, Albert Tucker, and Grace Cossington Smith.

Everyone's a Critic: National Gallery of Victoria - Australian Collection

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts, Critical thinking

Our critics visit the National Gallery of Victoria's Australian Collection. Housed in the Ian Potter Centre, it includes works by Frederick McCubbin, John Brack, Albert Tucker, and Grace Cossington Smith.

John Williamson joins Anh to share his journey from farm to fame as a songwriter and performer with a passion for everything Australian. Anh wants to capture the wisdom and warmth of this quintessential Aussie bloke.

Anh's Brush with Fame: John Williamson

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts, Personal and social capability

John Williamson joins Anh to share his journey from farm to fame as a songwriter and performer with a passion for everything Australian. Anh wants to capture the wisdom and warmth of this quintessential Aussie bloke.

Teaching resources for the Australian Curriculum

help@enhancetv.com.au

Screenrights

Loading...