A couple were surprised when they uncovered the origins of a painting in their house and discovered the origins behind it. In the first episode of the new series of Fake or Fortune? on BBC One on Tuesday, August 23, hosts Fiona Bruce, Philip Mould and the team analyse a mural found in a cottage believed to be by Ben Nicholson (1894-1982).
The artwork, which was discovered by Ian and Julie Herrington in their Surrey home, was found nearly 20 years ago. The couple weren't keen to keep the painting on their bedroom wall but just before Ian was about to put emulsion over it, an elderly neighbour mentioned that the work was by the well-known abstract artist.
Ian, who works as a builder by trade, was midway through a house extension and was concerned the building work might put the artwork at risk. Prior to enlisting specialist conservators to remove the work, the couple were keen to find out if it was of any value and when they did, the results shocked them.
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Over the course of the episode, Fiona and Philip investigate whether it could be by Nicholson and look into the previous owners of the cottage. They discover that a man named Fred Murray and his wife Madge lived at the cottage and had connections to Nicholson.
Nicholson, who was married three times to artist Winifred Nicholson, sculptor Barbara Hepworth and photographer Felicitas Vogler, extensively travelled and moved many times, spending time in Paris, Hampstead and Norfolk.
At the end of the episode, Ian and Julie receive the answer that they have been looking for. They meet with Fiona and Philip, who have finally got a letter from Nicholson experts. Before opening the letter, Philip tells them: “If this could prove to be a genuine work by the great painter, it’s worth £200,000 and that would allow you to save the work and have it preserved."
He adds: "If it’s not then it’s just a pretty piece of decoration painted on the bedroom wall and it’s, with much consideration, worthless.”
Revealing the news to Ian and Julie, Fiona tells them that experts believe that the painting does contain "elements consistent with the work of the artist, Ben Nicholson," to which Julie replies: "So it is Ben Nicholson?" and the presenter warns the husband and wife that "there's a second paragraph".
"However, we also strongly believe that parts of the composition are by a different hand, in most likely that of Fred Murray. It's our conclusion that this artwork is an informal, collaborative piece," she reveals, as Ian and Julie look on in shock, concerned that their painting was, as Philip put it, "worthless".
Despite this, he assures them: “All is not lost. We’re dealing with something most unusual - a collaboration with Ben Nicholson and other artists, which is something he wasn’t known to have done. It’s entwining two crucial figures together who were connected to each other. It’s a very personal thing.
"I think it’d be worth between £50,000-100,000,” he tells them and their faces light up. The episode concludes with the painting being carefully removed from Ian and Julie's home.
Fake or Fortune? airs on BBC One at 8pm on Tuesday, August 23.
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