Fake or Fortune? Season 1 Episode 4 Rembrandt

In season 1 episode 4 of Fake or Fortune, titled "Rembrandt," Fiona Bruce and her team investigate a painting that could potentially be a lost masterpiece by Rembrandt. The painting, which depicts an elderly woman reading a bible, is owned by a retired academic named Kern, who inherited it from his mother.

Kern became suspicious of the painting's authenticity after he noticed a variant of it in the National Gallery. Bruce and her team begin their investigation by examining the painting's provenance and history. They discover that the painting was bought by Kern's mother in the 1960s from an antique dealer who claimed that it was a genuine Rembrandt.

The team also consults with various Rembrandt experts, including Ernst van de Wetering, who is considered one of the world's leading Rembrandt scholars. Van de Wetering gives his opinion on the authenticity of the painting based on his knowledge of Rembrandt's techniques and demure. The team also seeks the opinion of various art dealers, who give different opinions on the painting's value.

Throughout the episode, the team encounters various challenges and setbacks in their investigation. They struggle to find concrete evidence of the painting's authenticity and discover several discrepancies in its provenance. The team also encounters opposition and resistance from some art dealers and collectors who have vested interests in the painting's value.

Despite these challenges, Bruce and her team remain determined to uncover the truth about the painting's authenticity and value. They follow various leads and conduct numerous tests, including paint analysis and dendrochronology, to determine the painting's age and authorship. In the end, they reveal their findings to Kern and the wider art world.

Overall, the episode is a fascinating and engaging exploration of the world of art authentication. It provides a glimpse into the painstaking methods and techniques used by art experts to determine the value and authenticity of paintings. The episode also raises important questions about the role and responsibility of the art world in preserving and promoting genuine works of art.