Fake or Fortune? Season 3 Episode 1 Vuillard

In the season 3 premiere of the popular art investigation series Fake or Fortune, hosts Fiona Bruce and Philip Mould turn their attention to a work by famed French painter Edouard Vuillard. The painting in question, called The Linen Cupboard, belongs to a retired couple in Cambridgeshire who inherited it from the wife's mother.

The couple has always believed the painting to be an original Vuillard, but since purchasing it in the 1970s they have struggled to prove its authenticity. Initial attempts to have the work verified by experts were inconclusive, leaving the couple in a state of uncertainty about its true worth.

Enter Bruce and Mould, who set out to trace the painting's provenance and unravel the mystery surrounding its authorship. They begin by visiting the Vuillard archives in Paris, where they scrutinize the artist's other works for any similarities or inconsistencies that might help them identify The Linen Cupboard as genuine.

Next, Bruce and Mould travel to London to meet with art expert Robin Gibson, who has examined The Linen Cupboard more closely than anyone else. Gibson's analysis suggests that the painting may indeed be a Vuillard, but there are several factors that complicate matters, including a legend on the back of the canvas that dates it to 1908, a period when Vuillard was not known to be making paintings like this one.

Undeterred, Bruce and Mould delve further into the painting's backstory, interviewing relatives of the couple who owned it before its current owners. They learn about the previous owners' links to the art world, and discover that the painting had once been in the possession of a prominent art dealer who had dealings with Vuillard himself.

The hosts also consult with forensic scientist Dr. Nicholas Eastaugh, who conducts a series of tests on the painting to determine its age and composition. His findings could prove crucial in helping to establish the painting's authenticity once and for all.

As the investigation progresses, Bruce and Mould face a series of setbacks and dead ends, including a surprising revelation about the identity of the artist who painted the legend on the back of the canvas. But they refuse to give up, driven by their passion for uncovering the truth and restoring the painting to its rightful place in the canon of art history.

In the end, the episode leaves viewers on the edge of their seats as Bruce and Mould prepare to reveal their findings to the owners of The Linen Cupboard. Will the painting finally be confirmed as an original Vuillard, or will it be consigned to the ranks of clever fakes? Only time will tell in this thrilling episode of Fake or Fortune.