3 Mysterious Portraits Send Art Detectives Across The Globe | Fake Or Fortune

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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

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 🌲

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

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

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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 🙂