Perspective: Decoding 3 Mysterious Portraits | Fake Or Fortune

The team choose three of the most promising portraits to investigate further. This includes a portrait of a child, believed to be by prized modern artist Willem de Kooning; a portrait of a young lady, attributed to 18th-century society painter Philip Mercier; and a portrait of a formidable looking man, said to be by 19th-century German master Adolph von Menzel.
Subscribe and click the bell icon to get more arts content every week:
/ perspectivearts
Perspective is KZbin's home for the arts. Come here to get your fill of great music, theatre, art and much, much more!
📺 It's like Netflix for history... Sign up to History Hit, the world's best history documentary service and get 50% off using the code 'PERSPECTIVE' bit.ly/3zj7Soo
Any queries, please contact us at:
[e-mail]
#Painting #Art #History

[@SchlichteToven]

That older couple with the painting of the 1700s woman are so cute. They're interested in the subject of the painting as a person - "she's somebody's daughter" - so sweet!

[@annamo9354]

The fact that no official institute in the US will verify that picture for fear of being sued...forgive me, but it shows how wrong this whole "sueing for money" is. It creates this atmosphere of angst which extends into every aspect of living. Horrible!

[@rolo4945]

So true, egotistical specialists not prepared to hear a different view

[@mikejohnson3247]

Absolutely agree with you

[@allensaunders449]

We Americans sue over anything and everything unfortunately

[@barryeva8862]

In America people suei at the drop of a hat why insurance etc is so high

[@DevonRexLady]

Thanks for the spoiler. 👍

[@johnroper4742]

Honestly, it is messed up that someone signed Menzel's name to "The Old General", sad, because the artist who painted is was an amazing talent and should have been proud to sign their own name to it.

[@franzrogar]

By no means this "proves" it was not really done by Menzel. Only that the "current expert consulted" does think it is not. There are so many cases in history where the "current expert consulted" has been proved wrong later (and vice versa: "real" works turned into falsifications). IMHO, which holds no power but to me, it is a real Menzel.

[@philiptownsend4026]

@@franzrogar You may well be right. Time will tell.

[@thornyback]

@@philiptownsend4026 Or not ever tell. This is a piece of work that holds its own as art regardless of the anonymity.

[@fivizzano]

I have a strong suspicion the signature is much later than the portrait

[@franzrogar]

@@fivizzano you can't have any suspicion the signature is ANY MINUTE later than the portrait because it is NOT painted over, BUT draw with the paint still fresh (moving the fresh painting around), as they explain in the video. You can suspect it is either real or fake, but the signature is 100% done at the same time as the painting.

[@_wesleyhome_]

I was very touched by the reaction of the grandson of the owner of the not-Menzel. It is always a difficult question for people of my age, the grandchildren of the war generation. It speaks so highly to the character of the grandfather that he did really risk everything to protect his employee and the employee's family. You can freeze on the closeup of the page of testimony at 46:40 and 47:22 and read more of the grandfather's description of his negotiations with the Gestapo on the man's behalf. The revelation of his act of righteousness is certainly the most important information to come out of this episode. His family should be very proud.

[@bubblemum]

I hope someone shows this to the Yad Vashem organization, his grandfather should be counted as one of the "Righteous among the Nations", and have a tree planted for him in Jerusalem.

[@philiptownsend4026]

@@bubblemum I was just thinking that and you have put the flesh on my thoughts. I absolutely agree.

[@Caperhere]

@@bubblemum I watched a documentary on trees planted in Israel. A young man set out to find the tree planted for someone in his family in USA. Turns out it’s a bit of a scam. It was a method of desperately needed money when Israel was a young growing nation after the war, but like anything with money involved without oversight, it was abused. Wish I could remember the name of the show. I think it was on CBC Gem.

[@bubblemum]

@@Caperhere I think you are confusing the very old "Plant a tree for Israel" fundraising and the trees planted at Yad Vashem in honor of those named as righteous among the nations. I have seen the trees at Yad Vashem; it is a beautiful memorial of people who did the right thing, even at risk of their own lives and families

[@Luna.3.3.3]

I thought it was a beautiful moment as well. Definitely brought a tear to my eye.

[@debbiew.7716]

The Old General was my favorite! Whoever did it had a great eye and yes, much emotion comes through. I would call it a treasure no matter the monetary value! His family story is priceless!

[@k.y.6148]

So much for not being able to show the portrait of Rene! I Googled it and found it immediately.

[@charleswood2182]

Very moving emotion when the true riches of one man were beheld by his grandson. Could art imitate such a gift?

[@ashhempsall9803]

I love how the portrait of a lady piece was described as " a (real) person in the room". Can't think of a better description of a good portrait. ☺️ Merry Xmas 🌲

[@philiptownsend4026]

Yes they were lovely retired couple weren't they?

[@grokeffer6226]

I'm no expert, and don't want to be sued, but the de Kooning looked right to me.

[@Alicja1Fenigsen]

if the "old general" is a fake, the maker is a great, unknown master who should be MORE famous than the one he emulated

[@godfreyberry1599]

Absolutely agreed from someone who understands the hypocrisy of the art world.

[@philiptownsend4026]

I thought I had seen all of the Fake or Fortunes but this one had slipped past me. It was fascinating, particularly the history of the family of The Old General, that subject matter is close to my heart.

[@IanHaywardCalvados]

Bizarre decision by the de Kooning Foundation to 'blank' the known genuine 'Portrait of Renée' when it is instantly available through Google. If I were, miraculously, given the right to choose just one of these three, it would unquestionably be 'The Old General'. There is so much apparent life, energy and character in that face, it would draw me back time after time - many, many more times than the other two combined!

[@shirleymcneil4410]

I remember seeing this episode years ago. I wonder what has developed with the child in red since. Enjoyed it just as much second time.

[@Psycho-Sapiens]

Ateliers Mommen... Where is the time. A friend of mine worked there late 50s, mixing pigments & oil, assembling frames etc. For decennies there used to live an extensive colony of artists in the rest of the buildings. Was quite a place 🙂

[@KissesFromCanada]

I loved all 3 works. I’d be thrilled to sit and look at any of them. Valuations are so bizarre. The old general was an amazing piece of art…so which part of it was ‘fake’!?! Great show.

[@madeleine363]

The signature was the fake

[@lysem4392]

I was surprised how yellow the portrait of the young woman remained even after cleaning. I could not discern any difference from its appearance before cleaning.

[@gregb6469]

I don't think it was a thorough cleaning, which can be rather expensive. The owners, while not poor, did not strike me as rolling in dough.

[@elli_k]

I thought the same thing! I'm used to seeing full restorations, where all the distortions in the canvas would have ben dealt with too.

[@eljanrimsa5843]

Since it's only 5000 they only did enough to see the signature, and the expert couldn't be bothered and just sent a letter.

[@Otto72ish]

So bizarre that in the US they not only can't get an opinion on a possible de Kooning, but also that even showing images of other authenticated paintings by the artist is banned by the relevant institute. What a silly country it is.

[@johnkochen7264]

For starters, the signature under The Old General is nothing like Menzel’s signature. It is more like initials and not a full signature. Then there is the style of the picture. It is nothing like anything shown here by Menzel’s hand. Finally, The Old General is, to my taste, far better than anything by Menzel that I have seen so far.

[@marvwatkins7029]

Ah....Fiona impresses us with her knowledge of French as well as Italian.

[@svenska81]

The old adage holds true, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”.

[@dawnwesterbeck346]

It's sad to me that only after the artist dies their art works become important. And the artist may never know or reap the monetary value of their works.

[@Psycho-Sapiens]

It's a market. For them in the art business a known and limited supply is the best. Always easier after the artist is gone forever.

[@beastshawnee]

not always true tho…

[@eljanrimsa5843]

Menzel was much more famous during his lifetime than he is now. He had been Germany's most successful artist during his lifetime, his paintings were directly acquired by museums. Bismarck was a fan of his. He was chosen to paint the coronation of William I, the later emperor, as King of Prussia. He was knighted and became "von Menzel". When he died in 1905, Emperor William II arranged a big funeral and walked behind his coffin.

[@northernerinnc3179]

Fascinating to hear about the people affected by and connected by art.

[@inkstainedgirl]

I think it would be just as interesting to own a forgery. Not for any monetary value, but fascinating to own and thought provoking about the forger.

[@bubbles581]

Indeed a forgery that is owned (or sold) as a known forgery is quite interesting and certainly not worthless. There are some great, prolific forgers that would be very interesting to collect!

[@gregb6469]

Someone needs to open a museum displaying nothing but forgeries. A well-done forgery is still a genuine work of art.

[@SandraNelson063]

I love Fake or Fortune. It's a roll of the dice.

[@dl7596]

123022. Commenter Ratana shifu pointed out, "The child clutches the flask of a soldier. So his facial expression has meaning."

[@viz8746]

"The General" is a beautiful Romantic painting. Too much "activity" and "motion" though for a Menzel, as the expert correctly said. Reminded me of a Eugene Delacroix or Caspar David Friedrich, especially Delacroix's Chopin portraint.

[@Songbirdstress]

Frankly, I prefer it.

[@seanfaherty]

The Old General is my favourite of all of them. A guy could save a lot of money buying fakes that are better than most originals

[@mischamartinstudios]

This is my first video by Perspective. Loved it.

[@Isabella-nd3rq]

They have a lot of great shows!

[@MG-jj3pn]

I love menzel’s painting of his sister

[@celsoteixeira3198]

It is very inspiring all these videos of you, guys! It brings many colors to this fake life! One nurtures oneself by watching them! Truly!

[@mfpendle]

I find it irritiating that the "experts" keep referring to de Kooning as "William". His name was Willem.

[@jiggyfun807]

Okay if you know that much(for real respect!) what's your opinion, is a real de Kooning.

[@dustyrustymusty3577]

@@jiggyfun807 I say no.

[@jiggyfun807]

@@dustyrustymusty3577 I think you're right, it doesn't feel quite right

[@paintparkspaws]

I’m curious about this artist. His paintings look similar to the DeKooning in question. “Moïse Kisling, born Mojżesz Kisling, was a Polish-born French painter. He moved to Paris in 1910 at the age of 19, and became a French citizen in 1915, after serving and being wounded with the French Foreign Legion in World War I. He emigrated to the United States in 1940, after the fall of France, and returned there in 1946.

[@herbie0408]

46:59 when last nights sauerkraut comes back to pay a visit to you and your friends

[@ellen4956]

I have a little painting that was my grandmother's (1895-1983). I don't know where she got it but it is signed Matisse and looks nothihng like his work. It's small and it's as if whoever painted it was just painting their desk in the studio. A vase full of brushes, with a scene of a boat painted on the vase, part of a tapestry turned back on a corner, and a photo of the painting of Matiss' wife tacked up on the wall. I have thought of giving it to a second-hand store because I don't think it's really a Matisse. Someone told me, "There are other people with that name." It's done in a very realistic style so the painter knew how to paint well.

[@dl7596]

Ellen M, " I have thought of giving it to a second-hand store because I don't think it's really a Matisse."

[@franzrogar]

Do not forget that there a hundreds of people called "Matisse" that are *not* THAT Matisse ;-)

[@Psycho-Sapiens]

From one artist I collected art, drawings, paintinge, etches etc for a creative period stretching 60yrs. The beginning period is hardly/not recognisable compared to the mature and later work. Anecdotal, he had Ateliers Mommen as a supplier too, just like de Koning!

[@Psycho-Sapiens]

Personally I wouldn't sell it.

[@ellen4956]

@@dl7596 I have sent photographs of it to museums, but I can't afford to pay for a verification. They always say "It doesn't look like a Matisse" and I know it doesn't. And there is no provenance that I'm aware of.

[@hannawagenknecht6378]

Oh yes,it's so interesting,thank you very much 😌

[@normanmerrill1241]

Well done…great episode…be safe and sound…

[@Capital194]

This is a very interesting episode of Fake or Fortune. I have a small painting (portrait) in the style of Pierre Auguste Renoir. A prominent art gallery in London who specializes in impressionist works congratulated me on my purchase and suggested I submit the piece to the Wildenstein Plattner Institute in Paris. I am somewhat hesitant to do this due to cost. It is an expensive proposition if one finds out the work is a very good forgery, although it is technically not a forgery as it is not signed.

[@pilsplease7561]

I think the wildenstein institute is the least trustworthy entity you can ever send stuff to because they lie and would rather die than admit that a painting is real and ruin their rep. Do not send it to thme

[@Capital194]

@@pilsplease7561 I don't plan sending the painting to Wildenstein unless I can find a solid provenance. Unfortunately if one ever wants to sell a Renoir painting in one of the reputable auction houses it has to be in the catalog raisonne published by Wildenstein.

[@pilsplease7561]

@@Capital194 not necessarily I know people who have sold them without it easily.

[@user-ti8bw1ri5h]

There's an episode about a Renoir and the Wildenstein Institute in this series. After seeing it, I'd keep well away from the W. I. if I were you. It was eye opening. (Give the place a wide berth 😶)

[@Capital194]

@@user-ti8bw1ri5h Yes I know what you mean, I feel the same way.

[@boblyn4402]

I've been curious as to who pays for the investigations?

[@boblyn4402]

@@joa8227 Thanks.

[@uswruser7996]

Why wasn't the Menzel also examined in terms of colour like the picture by de Kooning ? For me it is clearly a masterpiece by Menzel The brillance of the expression in this old face, which only an expert of the stature of a Menzel can achieve The fact that not only the authenticity (...in the case of the Menzel picture), but also the ownership is being questioned, I find quite sobering for the nice man from a german- english family Likewise the lovely Belgian couple who now have to track down the homeless previous owner, who will then blow it all up anyway Where is the ideal moral truth ?!

[@carolelerman9686]

Love this series so much I'll even tolerate all the adds.

[@carolelerman9686]

the spelling police is here so watch out everyone

[@Bearwithme560]

​@@carolelerman9686Lol. So *are* the grammar police ;)

[@carolelerman9686]

@@Bearwithme560 There's always one around trying to show how smart they are

[@Bearwithme560]

@@carolelerman9686 Or maybe it's the only thing they know, no? Btw, thanks for prompting me to finally install an adblocker. Fingers crossed it works, lol.

[@carolelerman9686]

@@Bearwithme560 Let me know how it works and how much Thanks

[@doc2kiwidig663]

I’m pretty certain the artist did not paint that portrait of the lady in dark dingy colours, did he really clean it?? Maybe the friend who cleaned it really did a job on it sadly.

[@topherjoe1]

I am not a an expert at all but if the varnish has colored and was only surface cleaned, the discoloration remains. Removing an old varnish has to be done by a professional, only then can the brilliant original paint colors be seen.Just something I learned from Baumgardner restoration videos.

[@Songbirdstress]

@@topherjoe1 So I'm not the only one screaming "send it to Julian" at the tv. :)

[@topherjoe1]

@@Songbirdstress lol, wouldn't that be cool to see?

[@warlockborn1031]

My family always wondered who started Menzels Pencils and Stencils. I think i found him!

[@junebennett978]

Another Great Episode! Thank You!! May God Jehovah the Father and Jesus Christ Bless Y ou all!!

[@OlavSurlandHansen]

WTF?! Copy right restrictions mean they cannot show a painting in a video, as seen in z glimpse from an angle?! In what way does this infringe upon the copyright holders' rights? Madness!

[@Crackle-Crackle]

No I'm sure it's rich people that own that painting and don't want a piece of their private collection shown on tv I'm sure.

[@OlavSurlandHansen]

@@Crackle-Crackle Then why was this presented as a copyright issue? A downright lie!

[@dianayount2122]

Copyright "skittishness" is a KZbin thing. If KZbin channel creators receive copyright"strikes" their channels are taken down. As I understand trying to make sense with YT is time consuming and often not successful. A risk they prefer not take?

[@TheJoan48]

@@dianayount2122 It's no big deal and didn't bother me a bit. I love this show regardless. I'm a painter myself and I can understand why they don't want their painting on youtube. I don't want mine online either.

[@robbied2113]

It's really weird and the only time I've ever seen that done on this show.

[@osip7315]

i knew a woman whose father was german and mother jewish and his employer had to go to the gestapo and arrange to have his wife left alone, fortunately the children looked classically blonde german

[@tonylarussa4046]

Why was Portrait of Renee blurred when I was able to get an image of it from a Google search?

[@katharper655]

I am enraptured by "The Old General". I see strength in his face..but humour also...the look of an older man, but one with no apologies to make...no regrets. I nearly never wax rhapsodic over art, as I am not even remotely qualified to do so. But Something about "The Old General" reaches deep in me...and strikes a chord. And Something within me echoes back... ADDENDUM: In light of the outcome of the investigation into "The Old General", one might expect to have a change of heart toward the piece. But... Perhaps my LACK of knowledge of Art frees me to have the emotional bond with "The Old General" intact...for its own sake. I genuinely do not know...but if it brands me negatively to accept a piece on its own merit-or lack thereof-so be it. One shouldn't alter perception of PEOPLE based upon legitimacy; And Art-at least in this case-is the depiction of a PERSON. I am FAR from being an Art Purist. The initial connection stands..

[@emoji_page]

What season and episode of Fake or Fortune is this. ( I'm looking for a video of this episode that doesn't have the rude commercial at the start to put in my Great Art playlist).

[@wordforger]

The story of the derKoonig seems rather suspicious. Isn't that a common forger tactic to explain the lack of provenance for a piece of work by claiming some down on their luck person decided to sell in a hurry? Of course they usually get more cash for it and there are other signs, so it may be the genuine article. Just thinking that should give a bit of pause.

[@dustyrustymusty3577]

I am very skeptical.

[@Songbirdstress]

I would have thought just getting the materials would be more than 450 euros.

[@patriciaariley5810]

The end title from the DaVinci code and Lily's theme from Harry Potter in the last episode.

[@Caperhere]

I wish they had panned the lady who seemed to always be looking at you, so we could experience her gaze.

[@evanputterill8286]

Funny how the fake is, by far, the superior painting.

[@jamesanonymous2343]

WHEN THE OWNERS PAINTING PROVES TO BE AUTHENTIC, & VALUABLE, IT MAKES ME HAPPY,,,,, WHEN IT TURNS OUT TO BE A WORTHLESS FAKE, I'M EVEN HAPPIER !

[@GothicPoet]

I am always afraid someone will steal my own artwork and poetry. I've been writing and drawing since I was seven years old. I've been told by lots of people I should get published. It costs money to get published and get a proof reader. I am handicapped and I can't work. I have had one art piece that was stolen from me and I got help by the owner of the website where the thief had an account. The owner changed their rules after they helped me get my artwork back. They suspended the account and they have told me if I ever wanted to join their community I have free access to their membership. They are very good people. I am honored and grateful. I do need to research more to find out if anything else has been taken. It's hard work to be an artist and poet. It's not always about sharing your skills you have to be careful how you share if you don't want criminals to steal from you.

[@Songbirdstress]

Old General? Nah, Dr Who. Looks just like Hartnell.

[@johnkochen7264]

“If the people who sold it to you did not have the right to sell it, you don’t own it.” Good to know. Now let’s talk Elgin Marbles.

[@godfreyberry1599]

Art belongs to the world despite their origin. Any nation who recognises the artistry and provides a sanctuary and unimpended accesibility for these fragile creations of man's spirit deserves to own them in a custodial context. As an example: Africa is currently screaming for the return of the historically important but god awful Benin Bronze's which were originally sold off piecemeal as curios until they developed some sort of desirable art niche, since the definition of ART per se has become a somewhat muddied term. If they did end up again in Africa, they would quite quickly cease to exist or be completely inaccessible to anyone who really cares a dammn, since Africans do not have an inbred culture of preservation in any shape and form and quite the opposite would surely be applicable. In addition, the facilities which would be required to protect and preserve would be quite far down the African's list of basic priorities.

[@trickedouttech321]

The little boy is signed by the man. just find another painting with the same signature. no more need to keep it going. we learned that he used this signature when he was painting in his area.

[@nelsonallen4946]

I like picture of the girl , didn't a 1st, its has more depth

[@Canuck13]

Why do these presenters keep referring to paintings, which are works of art and are not technical such as modern photography provides, as pictures. They are paintings which are representative of an artist’s interpretation of a subject. To me these are paintings; not pictures.

[@CountDiLuna]

I often hear that in British English, and indeed, the entry in the OED reads: "picture > noun 1 a painting or drawing: draw a picture of a tree." It then goes on to also list "photograph" and "portrait". Source: the second revised edition of the Oxford English Dictionary, printed in 2005. I don't have access to an Australian, Canadian, or any other English speaking nation's dictionary, but is it possible the answer is a simple "because they're British"? Of course, if it turns out you're from the UK, then my idea clearly doesn't hold true :)

[@barbaraguillette9632]

REMINDS ME OF JOHN SINGER SARGEANT

[@bethbartlett5692]

This Series offers most enjoyable Journeys... It also demonstrates just how prevalent among the population, most particularly, among the Experts, the individuals are living through and control by the Human ("Lower Mind, aka Ego Mind, aka Adolescent Mind ") where all our negative, leatned fear based ideologies, thoughts energies reside. The Higher Mind, aka Mature Mind, holds our evolving, our Positive Thought Energies, and it is where Wisdom resides. Beth Bartlett Sociologist/Behavioralist and Historian Tennessee, USA

[@earlperson741]

I TRULY ENJOY YOUR PRESENTATIONS....... BUT ONE THING BOTHER's ME...... YOUR NOT ONLY DEALING WITH THE PAINTINGS...BUT YOU'RE DEALING WITH THE EGO'S OF THE SO CALLED ART CRITICS, AND THEIR INSTITUTIONS....... I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT SOME ART INSTITUTIONS LIE ABOUT WHAT IS REAL AND WHAT IS NOT.... TO BENEFIT THEMSELVES.......

[@CONNELL19511216]

I find that there seems to be a marked difference between 19th and 20/21st century sketches and book illustrations (not speaking of paintings here). Modern renditions - even if attempting to emulate older illustrations - appear less elaborate. Maybe the technique has changed, or is it that modern artists work much faster? This is an amateur judgement: I would love to hear the opinions of those with artistic experience.

[@gmariet1391]

If theres not a body in the USA to qualify an original or fake then how in reason does anyone have authority to prevent the owner from showing her compared painting . Seems over reaching !

[@kerrywhite6720]

First shown in 2016.

[@lindaj171]

The Art World is ridiculous. Books are judged by their individual merit, not by the fame of the author. Music is the same. A musician can write a song which is a huge hit and follow it up with a flop. Only in the Art World, fueled by uber wealthy speculators with more money than brains/taste, does the value of a art work link so directly with who created it. Individual pieces of original art should be valued by their own merit, not by who created them. I found the portrait of a child exquisite, regardless of authorship.

[@gregb6469]

Are you kidding? Lots of best-selling books are promoted and sold on the name of the author; any book you see in the store which has the author's name on the cover in larger type than the title of the book, is being pushed on that basis, not the merits of the book itself.

[@davidohara7669]

Art. = sell the sizzle, not the steak.

[@Samalyzer45]

My understanding has always been that a five-angle valve job should only be done on the intake valves because the exhaust valve needs the increased cooling from coming into the increased contact with the valve seat that a three-angle grind gives.

[@elenademurias936]

youtube premium.........no commercials

[@georgielancaster1356]

Paying yt apparently means they pay far less to charities and animal rescues. Most people with a heart put up with adverts to help. Even though yt is mean about paying advert revenue to start with. I would not give yt a penny.

[@khills]

@@georgielancaster1356 you give YT more than a penny every time you watch a video - you’re contributing to their data mining. Watch an ad? Most of that goes to YT as well. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@daveg686]

👍

[@oarancards4443]

I love this show handsome guy hot girl ,,,what a match

[@maximhollandnederlandthene7640]

They say that in the art and antique world its posible 20 to 40% is wrongly attributed or some other wrongly date or interpretation is been done. Nobody is perfect. 🤔😅

[@edsimnett]

A quick google search will find you the de Kooning they couldn't show (hint: Portrait Of Rene de Kooning). You didn't hear this from me ;-)

[@NinaHansen2008]

You can Google Portrait of Renee.

[@dave7830]

To me the portrait of a child looked like a bad "paint by numbers"

[@michellebowers8652]

It has a slightly cubist aspect to it which is consistent with the style at the time it was painted.

[@godfreyberry1599]

Art is in the eye of the beholder and in the pocket of the investor & the deader the artist, the better!.

[@nelsonallen4946]

Is there a pilgrimage to miami ?

[@johnkochen7264]

The name is pronounced Co- ning, not Coo-ning.

[@tracysalari5741]

Did they do testing on old general or show comparison to menzels real ones? Why not?

[@normanfranke4041]

I don’t understand why analysis of the “old general” already determined that the pigments were 19th century while the German expert thinks it was painted in the 1920’s. Unfortunately there is no elaboration on this contradiction - were those pigments still available to forgers in the 20th century?

[@eljanrimsa5843]

@@normanfranke4041 Of course. When there are newly invented pigments you can prove that a painting is new, but not the other way round.

[@JMINDIANA487]

I like the lady host on here but cannot stand the guy that cohosts after what he did to that poor girl that found the art in the trash pile. He had no right to interfere and take everything from her so that it would go to an indivdual that he wanted. Hopefully Karma will meet him one day.

[@gkess7106]

26:47. This meeting of the two men looks very theatrical and in fact it looks like a Norman Rockwell painting on the cover of a magazine. Not to mention the buffoons shown at 27:23! Yet somehow your so-called expert (Claude Kaisch) says the portrait of The Old General looks too theatrical (44:45) to be real. Does this guy really know what he’s talking about or does he not think that we’ve seen the other confirmed paintings? He can’t have it both ways. I think the only thing fake about this painting is Kaisch!

[@reimannx33]

There is nothin that bendor cannot bend.

[@francismarcoux8944]

Beauty or skill doesnt matter I guess

[@otterphonics]

Lazy, amateurish to have a spelling mistake right there on the click screen. It's de Kooning, not de Koonig.

[@lizzywangari9831]

I make art for me that my son called dark and refused to look at. My revange is i never sell it and when i die he has to deal with it....mwahahaha. It's healing to art just for healing then put it away and move on. Fun fun fun

[@plumafina]

Nice German man.

[@beastshawnee]

Mercier made everyone into egg headed cartoonish characters…very cute but not real to life portraits…

[@beastshawnee]

I should have been a copyist faker! But alas I have moral.

[@jelink22]

As a former antiquarian bookseller, I find it odd that the purported values of the works shown are estimated when they've never been put on the block. I think these folks are trying to "make a market" by simply asserting high values as an artificial baseline. It would help their case if they were to tell us what other works by these artists have fetched in the past.

[@gerhardrohne2261]

so Mercier was a prussian, brussels was also under the nazis, and wasnt that painters name Adolf?

[@theorganguy]

my first impression of "the general" is not German, but very American looking... for the Kooning provenance, I'm very confused... the name of the son or the old man depicted here in his youth should be still known to the seller?!?? if the purchasing circumstances are suspect - if at least the name of the "child" can be historically be confirmable to been in the surroundings of the painter; that should still "fix" a lot...

[@eljanrimsa5843]

But they couldn't track down the seller.

[@tothelighthouse9843]

Sorry, but ads every 3 or 4 minutes is ridiculous. Being inundated with ads at this overwhelming rate detracts from the quality of the video & is insulting & irritating for viewers.

[@olga138]

I have Ad Blocker on my computer (it's a free download) and I don't get any ads.

[@tothelighthouse9843]

@@olga138 I think I'll have to break down & do this soon as well. But there are a few animal/animal rescue channels I follow where I do like to watch the ads to support their income stream.

[@jsb7975]

It is Willem de Kooning So not koonig .....

[@Psycho-Sapiens]

Not sure. I have and extensive art collection spanning decades, artist's way of signing does evolve/change over the years. Usually periodwise.

[@ronniedelahoussayechauvin6717]

Crimes

[@atmyhouse478]

tip of my tongue; seig shue something but i think this kid is done by a female dutch? who was into peat bogs lets see, )

[@merryhunt9153]

Even with the video slowed down, I can't understand about 1/3 of what these people say. At 3:09 "The yen is from Belgium and the yang is crisp sparks." At 3:31: "As an early feather-tip work, this would be just one of a handful of..." "A German artist called Handel von Mentsger." How about showing us how one spells that? These people lack the clear diction needed for broadcasting.

[@alleeum]

"The owners are from Belgium; they're called Jan and Chris Starks."

[@alleeum]

"As an early figurative work, this would be an extremely rare thing. I mean, there's just a handful of them known."

[@alleeum]

"It's by -- or purports to be by -- a great German 19th-century artist called Adolph von Mintsell."

[@alleeum]

The two men speak with a posh, well-educated English accent that's sometimes referred to as "plummy" (meaning it sounds as though they are speaking with "plums" -- an old-fashioned word for raisins -- in their mouth :). As art historians educated at the best schools, I suppose it's to be expected. It's a pretty consistent sound, so it isn't difficult to get used to, but it does take a bit of practice. The lady speaks in a different type of posh accent. Because she's a professional broadcaster, she leans more toward BBC-approved or "RP" English (no plums/raisins in the mouth :), which you may find easier at first.

[@alecblunden8615]

​@@alleeumA "plum" is a stone fruit which.when dried, produces a "prune". A raisin is a dried grape.

[@trickedouttech321]

Why would you put that part in the end about the owner, now ever Tom Dick and Harry are going to call in claiming the painting. WTF is wrong with y'all. Tighten up. That is something that should not have been put out there. the painting would have been put out in the world and let someone on there own. All you did it give good ground for scammers to make claims. be smarter next time.

[@Blake_.Dryden]

Beautiful painting of the child in red. Face resembles Fiona.

[@earlperson741]

AN EXAMPLE....... WHEN YOUR TEAM COMES ACROSS A PAINTING, AND YOU ALL COME UP ALL THE EVIDENCE NEEDED TO PROVE A PAINTING IS THE REAL THING...SOME HIGH--NOSED ART INSTITUTE WILL AT TIMES SAY, YOUR WRONG, WHEN THEY KNOW PAINTING IS REAL!!!!!!! BUT DON'T WANT TO ADMIT IT FOR THEIR OWN DARK REASONS! THAT IS IRRITATING....

[@TheSuzberry]

Are the works in question brilliant? Beautiful? Whatever? If so, why is the painter/provenance important?

[@Sharkdog11b]

Cus they’re prejudice snobs and only care about the name.

[@Annaonesun]

While I fully agree that as an observer of a beautiful artwork, who pointed it doesn't really matter, as an artist I would want it to be known that I'm the artist, or if it's falsely attributed to me. Even if these artists are no longer with us in life, it's respectful to attach the correct names to the artworks.

[@helmuthj.zotter7272]

Because then it is a beautiful painting worth a lot more....

[@curiousone6129]

The General is so compelling and beautiful. I would love to have it no matter who painted it! Place of honor in any room. I'd never sell it!

[@gregb6469]

@@curiousone6129 -- He looks like the sort of officer men would willingly follow into battle.

[@andrewjones9991]

That blonde male host is so extra. I like the other two but he's annoying.