FAKE OR FORTUNE S011E01: ELIZABETH FRINK
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- čas přidán 26. 09. 2023
- Fiona Bruce and Philip Mould head to the beautiful Essex countryside on the trail of one of the 20th century’s greatest artists, Dame Elisabeth Frink. They are investigating an intriguing sculpture that owner Amanda Kirke discovered at her local car boot sale. Amanda’s initial search on the internet, brought up a similar looking figure titled Small Warrior, produced by Elisabeth Frink in an edition of ten in 1956, one of which was once owned by David Bowie.
I’m another person in the US who can only see this series when it is loaded on You Tube. Thank you for making this very interesting program available to us.
You’re very welcome 😊
Yeah, I love this show, but it's so hard to watch. Logistically, but also, for me, this episode. I hope they keep the focus on paintings not sculpture. Call me uncouth, but I don't get what's special about some mud torso an 8yo did out at the lake, with no arms. "Oh, that's amazing honey!" to encourage your kid, of course, but...
I take notes on this show. I aspire to an art collection of fake Monets, Picassos, etc. that had the experts fooled, and are now worthless. Since I can't afford the real thing, I'll settle for some conversation-piece fugazis and be happy to own a wall to hang them on.
I once knew a forger... of violins. "The Missing Stradivarius" he was trying to sell for $50K, 30 years ago, sure looked the part. Usage marks, repairs, everything you'd expect from a 200 year old string instrument. Get past the fake provenance, call his bluff, check out the real provenance, only half that old and half original, but he really cared about his "art" and luthiered up as fine a violin as any player could hope to own... just not for $50K!
I thought he could have a legit thing, repairing and restoring Stradi's. But the guy was an Irish Traveller, i.e. natural-born scammer. He'd rather "reseal" your asphalt driveway with diluted black paint that would wash away next rain, when he was long gone. He cringed at the very suggestion of being an on-the-level luthier. I wonder who bought "The Missing Stradivarius", swear I saw it come up for auction not so long ago.
@@mightwenotbehappy Yes! Thank you so much!
The grey haired lady at the end (one of the ‘judges’) was fabulous. A natural! She kept us on edge till the very last moment. Another magnificent episode. Thank you for making these!
I totally agree about the grey haired female judge - as I was watching, I thought: I would not want to play poker with her! And that's even accounting for how the show is edited. 😸
Very happy to see a new episode of ForF on CZcams. I'm not in UK to most grateful to the uploader. I really do hope more of the newest series are in the pipeline.
This particular ForF was quite a bit different to all predecessors and I found it fascinating. Science to the rescue!
While the sculpture didn't appeal to me I do appreciate that all art has it's place in the world and should be revered and celebrated.
Four episode in total for series 11, Thanxs for watching 👀
@@mightwenotbehappyI searched on how to buy these series on DVD or online and couldn't find anything. Do you know if they're available for sale?
@ChristaFree you can buy seasons 1-4 on ioffer but it’s $44
@@mightwenotbehappy thanks!
@@mightwenotbehappy thank you very much. Watching from México. Really love this show.
Fiona Bruce and Philip Mould solves another one. What a great show!👍🌹❤️
Eleven years on and this show is still fresh. Great episode. Thanks for posting!
I do miss Bendor Grosvenor (aka Bendover) though.
Oh, I’m so glad to see a new episode/season of this! This one was excellent. Such an interesting research result for it!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Apparently the BBC made a documentary or interview with every major UK artist in the past 80 years, as they often have footage to pull from the archives.
Thank goodness for the BBC, the CBC, and PBS documentaries
I remember the Lowry one!
One of the best episodes yet.....Very emotive and bravo to science, always a myth buster!!
Bravo! A tiny tear rolled down my cheek as the verdict was announced. This small & lovingly created masterpiece of Dame Elisabeth Frink's genius mind & hand will once again be appreciated with pride of place, either in Amanda's home or on public display to be admired by all... 💪 for the Small Warrior that it is.
I have waited (like everyone else) an entire year for this Series 11 to begin! Being in the U.S. I can only see it here. Thank you, thank you for continuing to post these for our enjoyment. As always, a great episode. Looking forward to next week.
You're very welcome!
I’ve just started - I’m in Canada so I think it’s just amazing that you can find such amazing works at yard sales!! All these brilliant works of art can now be appreciated!!
Very happy to see more science and technology used to determine the originality of this piece, that is providing objectivity. Too many times so called experts have cast their eyes over art and combined with their existing biases and prejudices have passed incorrect judgements, that is too much subjectivity.
Among other fascinating things I discovered in this episode (mainly Dame Frink and her wonderful work) is that the name Maude is an English derivative of Magda. The things you learn on the internets...
I've been looking forward to watching this - thanks! When Fiona said she'd either got the car boot sale of a lifetime or scrap, I found myself thinking even if it isn't a Frink original, I'd pay 90 quid for a bronze statue I liked of that scale. Certainly worth me to me than its scrap value. Anyway, back to the programme to see what happens...
Totally!!!
This was a great one -- & so nice to have the 'experts' agree!
Even with the immutable (sorry) metallurgical test results, that sculptor friend of Ms Frink (Anne or Ann? lol) had some great and very, very plausible insights.
Thank you again to MWNBH for another upload.
I ❤ the "At 42 million..." woman.
Have always LOVED this show! This is now moved up to the top of my favorites list! That ending was so perfect… the utter suspense and then the Reveal!!! I almost cried myself! Just incredibly awesome! Finally too - a group of authenticaters that have common sense and a mindset that doesn’t start off closed and condescending. Bravo!
I bet that this sculpture was the first one cast, what would today be called an “ARTIST PROOF” - created for the artist by the foundry to show her #1 that they could do the job she wanted done / #2 that they could do it the way she wanted it done / #3 that they could make it look the way she wanted it to look -> proving it by showing her an actual Finished Piece. Especially with it being an “early work” by her - this could have been her first time using that foundry, and she wanted to see what they could do, and if it was good enough for her to allow them to produce things with Her Name on them. As well as her having an upcoming show - with ALL those pieces on the ledger from the show - she would have been placing A Large Order, and I am sure that the foundry would have wanted her business.
The Signature: I think it was exactly as the lady who knew the artist said - she was working out where she sign it. I am an artist myself (although I am a painter not a sculptor), and my opinion and practice of applying my signature to my work is: I want it in the Least Noticeable Spot possible. Truthfully, I want it to literally blend in and not be noticeable at all. My art is about the painting, not my name! In fact - my ultimate goal would be for someone to just look at my work and Instantly KNOW it’s by me without ever even needing to see a signature. A lot of the time… I think a signature actually disturbs the work. When I was in my teens (I am 51 now), I quit even using a signature… and created a SYMBOL to use instead. I would still sign the piece in the back, with the title, date, media used, etc. etc. but use the symbol on the front. NOW - in the majority of my work - I don’t even put the symbol on the front anymore… ALL the information is on the back only! The painting stands alone - as it’s own being. I created it, but -> It Isn’t Me! Why Would / Why Should It Have My Name?!?!?! To me… it would be like having a child and tattooing the mother’s and father’s name on the child’s face.
So anyway… As an artist - if I were a sculptor… I would really really really want to sign the piece at the back (or even underneath it). I think that is Exactly what she was doing on this piece. Then, after seeing how it looked on the finished piece - she changed her mind about the placement, and felt that it didn’t look good and it didn’t look right or even look like her name (having to go around and up onto) the blob, so she moved it to the flattest spot which just happened to be front and center. Then - because it was an Artist Proof, OR if it was 1 of the 10 (and she didn’t like the way the signature looked) - she kept it as her own personal piece. Which also explains why she still has it a year later after all the edition had sold “OUT” and when the Documentary was filmed. It also explains perfectly why the original gallery ledger had 9 names of the buyers of an edition of 10 , but still said that they were sold “OUT”. There is no doubt in my mind (ZERO) and I would bet you that if that Documentary camera had shown the base of that sculpture - the signature would have been on the back, around the “blob”. The sculpture in that Documentary was 100% - the one she brought in that car-boot sale.
I personally hope she keeps it. Although, now that it has been authenticated, it is worth A Lot of money. Plus the fact that it was the focus of an entire episode of a popular television program - I am sure that will add to it’s fame, value, and desireability! Plus it is the only one known with the signature on the back (pretty sure The Only One like that period.). So even though it is 1of10 - it’s really 1of1. So I would think (at least to me) it’s the most valuable one.
Finally - I think it would be Amazing!!! if they actually got all of them together for a picture. Especially if they find the other 2, so they could have all 10 Together Again!!!
Thank you for posting. This is my favorite show. I’m looking forward for more.
Given all the research and travel, these shows must take forever to film, so there aren't so many as we'd like to see.😢
@@CallieMasters5000 , Amen to that!
I absolutely love this series! Found it during COViD, then watched the backlog series before enjoying the innovative on-location segments from Phillip's home and on and on. It is an adrenalin-filled series with superb production skills (writing & linking, direction & post), well integrated anecdotes and relevant matters of context and pedigree. Of course, the travelogue destinations for research anchors the world of art and the spectrum of its global gallery. We are thankful for such a splendid, quality content series and so well presented with poise, knowledge and talent. And, being from a Colony, I too shall forward some pictures. Admittedly, I have a province but seemingly do lack providence at the ready....
i LOVE this program. it's usually the last thing i watch at night.
and i LOVED this little sculpture. even if it wasn't by Frink it was a totally charming piece. my eyes are leaking...
Thankyou Fiona & Phillip for another instalment. I think its possible as this new episode claims it was the artists & or maybe a number 11 casting, that Dame Elizabeth Frink had kept back because of the signature error. It could also be the missing sculpture from Maudlin college Oxford or one of the other untraced figures. But the hard facts are the alloy in bronze casting used was standardised by the 50s & it's possible Frink gave away the original plaster cast as we heard she had done {where's the original plaster cast ? There was no mention of it}& or sold them as she was a bohemian & needed money. Bronze literally means mixture, the alloy was standard so of course it'll come up as near identical firstly , secondly if that ingot was used by that particular foundry there could have been other ingots produced at that time, side by side, that could have been used as the judge said, in a later casting at or around that time that would give a near identical reading.
And finally if it was Frinks "Warrior" she had kept back you would hav expected provenance to prove it ?
love this show , love the research , the hosts , the surprise!
Wow! The forensic & detective work here was phenomenal!! The shocking tidbit was that an Oxford College would be “dumb enough” to randomly & carelessly loan valuable & probably priceless art pieces without a tight record keeping system!! That makes Oxford College look extremely careless!!! They already knew that valuable artwork must always maintain an excellent record of ownership!! Congrats to the smart woman who purchased it at a Car Boot Sale!!!
Although it is a bronze casting, which couldn't be too cheap even in the fifties, it wasn't as valuable as today. The Oxford College must have had a lot of money and had mostly wealthy students, so they didn't expected that one of them would steal an artwork.
I had never a doubt that this little statue is an original. If someone would have made a later copy - why making only one? A god bronze copy of such a sculpture isn't so easy to make, but if he had made several copies, then other copies should have shown up already. So it has to be one of the edition of 10 or it is an artist's proof, so that the edition really consists of 11.
If it's not an artist's proof and other 9 statues can be tracked down - then the sculpture in Amanda's posession has to be the one the Oxford College is missing.
Even if they never reported the loss to the police, they still can lay claim to it. I'll hope they pay her at least a good reward...
@@red.aries1444 I would be inclined to believe that it was Elizabeth Frink’s own copy based on the signature.
@@red.aries1444 two were unknown ones with missing current locations, so all that is known is it is one of those two. It could be the one from the college but could be just as likely to be the one with no known location without the oxford college history. Oxford could try to claim her piece as being their missing piece but they should have to prove it is not the other piece that had an unknown location. For the sake of the current owner I hope Oxford does not try to claim her piece as their lost piece as that would be a very heartless move on their part.
Thank goodness they managed to pronounce David Bowie's name correctly towards the end!
as soon as they showed the side of the blob of plaster, and how her signature had traveled just up the side of it a bit i knew it was original. You can so clearly picture the artist trying that signature location out and being like "nah..that doesnt look right" and forgoing that location for the front spot the others had. so cool
The blob offers a further conclusion.... Rather than being cast number 9 or 10, it may just be number 1! The difficulty of signing at the back of the base was just too much for the remainder of the series. It would be the icing on the cake to discover evidence of what happened during this process.
I love these two and the stories they tell.
Thank you so much for uploading this, now I can watch it in Canada!! ❤🎉
I kept seeing that knobby bit in every photo they uncovered. I was getting frustrated that it was never pointed out as a common feature until near the end.
I had anticipated their theory by then. Having signed my name multiple times on duplicate objects, I am familiar the scenario they describe. It’s like the pancake principle… the first one is always a little messed up.
If this becomes the accepted explanation for the unique signature, would it make Amanda’s #1 in the series?
It's almost certainly the #1 in the series
I was enthralled throughout the entire video. Doesn't happen to me much nowadays as my concentration span seems to be diminishing. Thanks!
What a wonderful result. What especially pleases me is, that what first was the biggest red flag (the signature on the back around that blob) is now, what makes this Small Warrior the outstanding one in that series of 10.
I so enjoyed this program thank you!
What a lovely episode this was!
Absolutely fascinating process, and once again I learned so much!
Don't ask why, but, Ann Christopher came over as being a lovely person.
There was a wonderful aura of calmness about her. I have no clue as to why this should be!
Great program.
OMG! Another sublime episode of your A-1 series! Even though the object d'art in question wouldn't be at the top of my shopping list, once again, your (Fiona & Philip's) approach & sleuthing & digestion of the evidence as its folds is TRULY astounding & remarkable. Quite a build-up. Many thanks for what you undertake and sharing it with a US viewer here on CZcams! Ten STARS!!
Thanks so much for this!
Wow! This one really touched me. How amazing what is possible these days. So happy!!
Fantastic! What a great show! Thank you.🎉🎉🎉
I love this program. Ive been waiting for new episodes. Thank goodness. They're back!
Wonderful! Such a great episode, thank you.
Excellent...new episode..love this so much,thanks !!! xx
Thank you for posting this very interesting episode.
The best series, thanx for uploading!
Excellent episode
Absolutely intriguing.. a great episode
Another thank you for posting this show!
Excellent. Thank you.
Thanks a lot for uploading!!
Great episode. Bravo.
Frank
How wonderful, a new episode and a fascinating one. Thank you for uploading.
Thank you for this video! I’m from the Philippines, and surely won’t be able to have seen this if it isn’t for this upload…Anyway, about this episode…in my opinion, Ms. Amanda’s statue is more special and valuable if the case was that Ms. Frink changed her mind with her signature to be put in front such as the 10 editions made…meaning hers is one of kind or might’ve been the first cast?
Exactly what I was thinking 😊
I think if it goes up for sale, that will definitely increase the value. It may have been 1 of 10 Warrior statues, but would also be one of a kind due to its signature
Thanks for uploading this episode!
Excellent!!!!!
Thank you for posting this.
😃
Finally, thank you
Thank you SO much for uploading...
Wonderful episode!
Thank you from the US!! Loved it!
Checking auction records on MutualArt, this sculpture has come up frequently with prices dropping over the years: $76,000 at Bonham's in 2013; $30,000 at Bonham's in 2015; $50,000 at Sothebys in 2016; and $27,000 at Bonham's in 2019. So, Philip's estimate of $73,000 (60,000 Pounds) is incorrect. If it sells for $30,000, she will pay 10 to 20% to auction house and pocket about $25,000. Nice profit, but hardly a huge windfall. Nevertheless, an interesting episode. As always, a very entertaining way to get an art history education.
This episode was fantastic. The amount of research and scientific analysis done, was astounding. Well Done F or F and for posting this episode.
This one is absolutely fantastic. Thank you.
Thank you for uploading it! Can't wait to the rest of this series! What a great start!
The most fascinating episode ever. I love it!!
I agree! I was thrilled when Phillip read the metallurgical report. From the sound of it, even those Oxford scientists seemed excited to share in the detective work. And the experts at the foundry just blew me away. Wonderful presentation all around!
Thank you so much for uploading. I hope for episode 2. XXX
Thank you so much for uploading!!!!!
No problem!!
This was the most exciting and informative episode. I haven’t been so thrilled with a result as with this. Thank you for so much detailed investigation. Wow!
I love this show!!!👩🏻🎨
Well done ... simply. Amazing 😊
Extraordinary investigative work! Congratulations to Amanda!
Great Series! Much enjoyed!
Wonderful episode and pleased that the were able to authenticate the work for this lovely lady ;)
Excellent episode!
I love this!
Thank you soooo much for returning for another season!!!!
I love the lovely new touches so far, writing notes on a board ect and the pacing is a slower more graceful pace…. ❤!!!!!!!
One would think that this particular bronze with the unique signature would be worth more than the other 9.
What about that Philip?
Thanks so much for uploading!!!❤
No problem 😊
Thank you so much for these episodes. So hard to find them in New Zealand 🙏🙏❤❤
They are coming out like dragons teeth! Love it.😂
Cheers! What a delight!
thanks for the upload i love this show
Glad you enjoy it!
I watch this program from South Africa. I just love this program
Watching from Australia with appreciation. Great episode :))
We love this shows keep uploading them ❤
Will definitely do, unless I get banned 😂
Thank you for uploading this program. You've made my day!😊
It's my pleasure
Great show!
Nice to see old Frinkers
So very grateful for this upload. Wonderful episode. Thank you for connecting us outside of the UK with these. I forgot how much i loved this show.
Enjoyed watching!
One of the best shows ever.
This is my favorite TV show. I grew up going to free art museums in Washington, DC with my mother, who is an avid art fan. There is something very endearing about seeing forgotten artworks being rediscovered and scientifically analyzed decades (or centuries) after they were first made. It's like the artist never died as long as their work is still being celebrated. I collect vintage, original artwork from much smaller American artists, though nothing of this caliber!
MANY MANY THANKS FROM THE USA!!!
It's kind of amazing to me that a sculpture can be the genuine work of an established sculptor but worth only about one per cent of the value of that sculptor's other works simply because the casting was unauthorized.
That's the beauty of this show with their stunning investigation into provenance and scientific analysis.
Thank you 🙏😊
Thank you for posting, I'm in the US and we have nothing like this. Learning about how sculptures start and end is really fascinating. Really enjoy learning about the numerous processes that one idea goes through to make the final sculpture.
Thanks for sharing 😊
You’re Welcome ☺️
Thank you kind person for putting the latest season online 🙂
You’re very welcome ☺️
Thanks for the upload! Watching from El Salvador. I really enjoy this !
Wow, thanks for watching
Thank you for uploading this and the others. I’m in Australia and usually the broadcaster is delayed by a couple of months with the Fake or Fortune series
Well done !