New exhibition at The Courtauld
Remarkable forgeries originally thought to be masterpieces by artists including Sandro Botticelli, Pieter Bruegel the Elder, John Constable and Auguste Rodin will go on display at The Courtauld this summer.
It is part of a new display of fakes from its collection. The exhibition will feature around 25 drawings and seven paintings. The Courtauld regularly exhibits work of international importance.
There will also be sculptures and decorative art in the display which aims to tell the fascinating stories behind their creation – and the discovery of their deception.
Some known forgeries were given to The Courtauld, the first institution in the UK to teach art history and conservation, to help its students learn from them. The centre is based in central London.
It’s the first time some of these works will be on display to the public. Other works were the pride of the collectors who donated them to the Gallery – only to be later revealed as fakes through close looking, technical examination or research into their history.
The display includes a seascape supposedly painted by John Constable, which came to The Courtauld from the artist’s family.
It’s authenticity remained unquestioned until Courtauld experts discovered a watermark in the paper reading ‘184-.’ This indicated that it dated from the 1840s (the artist died in 1837).
Virgin and Child
Another striking forgery is a ‘Virgin and Child.’ It was once thought to be a masterpiece by Botticelli but was unmasked as a fake by the Virgin’s resemblance to a 1920s film star – and the detection of modern pigments.
Fakes in art are nothing new. Forgeries of drawings by Pieter Bruegel the Elder began appearing shortly after his death in 1569. This was largely in response to demand for his work.
The display includes an elaborate example by Bruegel’s enterprising younger contemporary Jacob Savery.
The forgers themselves have become figures of notoriety. A Courtauld professor returned from service in the Second World War with a painting by Han van Meegeren, who famously went on trial for selling fake Vermeers to the Nazi elite.
Umberto GiunF (1886-1970), Forgery in the manner of Sandro BoJcelli (1444/1445-1510), Virgin and Child, 1920s, egg tempera on wood panel, The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust).
The infamous British forger Eric Hebborn is also represented, with a drawing he boasted about twice in his memoir.
He further claimed that hundreds of his fakes in the style of masters such as Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck remain to be uncovered.
The display will take place in the Gilbert and Ildiko Butler Drawings Gallery and the Project Space. It will run from 17 June to 8 October 2023.
The programme of displays in the Gilbert and Ildiko Butler Drawings Gallery is generously supported by the International Music and Art Foundation, with additional support from James Bartos.
