In this new season of Fake or Fortune?, Fiona Bruce and Philip Mould’s first case sees them taking on the task of authenticating a painting purported to be by the renowned 20th-century abstract artist, Piet Mondrian. The painting, a charming little white flower picture, is inherited by American Jeffrey Kroll from his mother, and its authenticity is called into question. With a potential value of over £250,000 if genuine, the stakes are high.
Kroll possesses compelling evidence, including the painting’s sale at a major auction house in 1993 as a genuine Mondrian work titled “White Chrysanthemum.” The intricate web of labels on the back of the painting adds to its intriguing history. However, the absence of this piece from the 1998 catalogue raisonné of Mondrian’s works casts doubt on its authenticity.
Mould embarks on a journey to the Netherlands to explore Mondrian’s lesser-known flower pictures and conducts a forensic examination of the work. Initial signs are positive, as the paper is dated to Mondrian’s era. Further scientific analysis is performed by Professor Aviva Burnstock at the Courtauld Institute in London, utilizing the latest techniques.
Meanwhile, Bruce investigates the painting’s provenance, looking into the chain of former owners. She travels to the Netherlands to trace the galleries and dealers associated with the work but encounters challenges in verifying its journey. As questions arise about the names on the list, the team consults retired art detective Dick Ellis, renowned for his expertise in art forgeries.
With all the evidence gathered, the team presents their findings to the world’s leading authority on Mondrian, Wietse Coppes. The verdict: Is Kroll’s painting a genuine Mondrian, or is there a darker explanation for its existence?
Fake or Fortune?: Mondrian airs on BBC One on Thursday, 26 September 2024, at 8:00 pm.
