Fiona Bruce and Philip Mould returned to our screens tonight to solve more art mysteries in BBC One’s Fake or Fortune?
The veteran journalist teamed up with the art dealer to investigate remarkable stories beneath the surface of paintings, with the first episode of this series taking them to a Surrey cottage.
In a mystery like no other, the programme concluded that the couple have lived for 20 years with a unique collaboration between one of the greatest artists of the 20th century, Ben Nicholson, and amateur painter Fred Murray.
The painting was estimated to be valued at between £50,000 and £100,000 but, in an extraordinary twist, it had been painted directly onto a bedroom wall in the couple’s house.
The gripping investigation into the painting took the team across the country on the trail of Ben Nicholson, a master of British Modernism.
BBC One viewers also saw how the artwork was cautiously removed from the wall as a part of the house was cut away – and the painting nearly didn’t survive.
Homeowner Julie wanted to get rid of it, as it didn’t match the décor plans and the couple’s four-year-old even wanted to colour it in with crayons.
Husband Ian was about to cover it with emulsion, when an elderly neighbour popped round, having heard from one of the previous owners of the cottage that the work was by the famous abstract artist.
In the programme, art expert Philip Mould explained: “We’re dealing with something most unusual. A collaboration between Ben Nicholson and another artist, something he wasn’t known to have done. It entwines two crucial figures together and is a very personal thing.
“I can imagine lots of people being both intrigued and drawn to it, and potential collectors as well. I think it would be worth between £50,000 - £100,000.”
After the reveal and valuation, homeowner Ian said: “I’m glad we kept it! That’s absolutely brilliant.
“I had assumed it would be either Ben Nicholson or Mr Murray so to have them both is great. It’s coming off the wall without a doubt. It’s too fragile and needs looking after.”
The couple spent weeks carefully planning the painting’s removal from the wall, in what was a risky process as cracks could completely destroy the artwork.
Special tissue was applied to keep the painting in one piece and a large section of the wall was removed, risking the entire wall collapsing.
The painting is now undergoing painstaking restoration before it is taken to auction.
Fake or Fortune continues next week with an investigation into a potential Modigliani.
