At the moment it is returned to the owner
Sold in 2011 for 8.5 million pounds ($10.7 million) painting, which was considered a Dutch painter Frans Hals, is declared fake.
The statement said the auction house “Sotheby’s”, the deal has been rescinded. The customer returned the full purchase price after the examination found that the painting “Portrait of unknown” is “no doubt” fake, reports the Russian service Bi-bi-si.
The auction house reported that with the consent of the seller of the painting has informed the buyer about possible problems with the authenticity of the work. The painting was subjected to a thorough technical analysis, which showed that in its manufacture has been used modern materials.
“This indicates that the picture could not be painted in the XVII century,” – said in a statement, “Sotheby’s”.
Examination required after began to appear information about the skilled forger, who is still at large and whose fakes could be sold for a total sum in excess of £ 200 million.
Believed to be among the fakes and the works attributed to Italian master Orazio Gentileschi, kept in the British National gallery.
The painting “David contemplating the head of Goliath” was handed over to the gallery for temporary use by its current owner in 2013 and exhibited until March of this year. At the moment it is returned to the owner.
Another controversial work attributed to the Renaissance artist Lucas Cranach the Elder, was arrested by the French authorities in March, after having doubts about its authenticity.
