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Series 1

4 episodes · 19th June 2011

Fiona Bruce and Philip Mould investigate four very different art mysteries: a disputed Monet, a Winslow Homer found near a rubbish dump, a celebrated Vermeer revealed as a Van Meegeren forgery, and a supposed Rembrandt connected to Nazi looting. The series establishes the programme’s mix of attribution, provenance, ownership disputes and art-world authority.

Season details

Details

Episode guide

Episodes

01 Monet still Monet Episode 119th June 2011 Fiona Bruce and Philip Mould investigate Bords de la Seine à Argenteuil, a riverside landscape believed by its owner to be an unrecognised work by Claude Monet. Scientific examination and provenance research build a compelling case, but the painting must still win acceptance from the authority responsible for Monet’s catalogue. 02 Homer still Homer Episode 226th June 2011 A watercolour discovered beside a rubbish tip is identified as Children Under a Palm Tree, a lost work by American artist Winslow Homer. As the picture heads toward auction with a substantial valuation, the investigation shifts from attribution to provenance and the difficult question of who legally owns it. 03 Van Meegeren still Van Meegeren Episode 33rd July 2011 The team investigates The Procuress, a controversial painting at the Courtauld Institute associated with master forger Han van Meegeren. Technical analysis explores whether it was one of his final works and reveals how he deceived collectors and experts with paintings presented as newly discovered Old Masters. 04 Rembrandt still Rembrandt Episode 410th July 2011 Philip and researcher Bendor Grosvenor spot a poorly catalogued painting in a South African auction, apparently connected to Rembrandt. Their investigation uncovers a darker history involving Nazi looting, a Jewish art-dealing family and a work once regarded as a German national treasure. Scientific examination then seeks to establish the painting’s true authorship.
Talent

Cast & Crew

01 Fiona Bruce profile Fiona Bruceas Self - Presenter 02 Philip Mould profile Philip Mouldas Self - Presenter 03 Aviva Burnstock profile Aviva Burnstockas Self - Technical Specialist
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