Southend U3A

July 2023

The painting in the attic - Jenny Bowker

Antiques roadshow art expert, Rupert Maas, viewed the painting in vivid hues of a young Tahitian girl asleep. Arm across chest and hand supporting his chin he commented, ‘This is a VERY interesting painting. What do you know about it?’

‘We don't know a thing. It was in the attic of the house we bought a few years back, covered in dust but I thought I had seen something like it before so brought it here.’

‘Do you like it?’

I like the colours but no, I don't care for it. The girl looks drugged.’

‘She probably was and I'm not surprised you think you may have seen it before. This is 'the sleeping guardian' by Gaugin but before we get excited, I have had a really good look at it. The brush work is excellent, the canvas is old, the signature, the scrawled G could be significant but there are one or two anomalies, there is no frame and should this prove to be a Gauguin then one would have thought it would be framed not left as a bare canvas do you see? The painting in Gugganheimer is twice the size of this, so should it prove to be genuine then it could have been a first attempt, a plan. I noticed when I gently brushed away some dust and cobwebs there was an indication of a speck of gold. Now Gauguin never embellished his work in this way. But it is still intriguing. I would suggest you get this to an art dealer, or a conservationist to have the painting examined further. It could be a very good forgery, had there been no attempt at a signature then this could be classed as a copy and not a fraud, and thus no legal disputes but either way you have a tremendously interesting painting to decorate your living room.’

‘Is it worth anything?’

‘Ahh, well, as an undiscovered Gaugin – millions but as a very good copy, would say at least £500. That is why it would be worth the cost involved in research. I can help you further after the show. Is that alright?’

The camera moved on.

‘Ere John, one of me dad's painting’s on the roadshow.’

‘Don't be daft Else.’

‘It is I tell you and its worth £500 quid at least. I'm going to phone them up and tell them.’ ‘Don't you think you'd better ask your dad first.’

‘E’s not long been moved to Thorn Cross cat D prison in Cheshire so I don't want to get im excited about anything. Naw I'll just tell em we left it by mistake. He's actually teaching art to the others in the prison. Wot a laugh.’

Phone call: ‘Mrs Wyecliff I am terribly sorry but we have received a telephone call from a Mrs Smythe who claims she left the painting in the attic of your new home. She confirms the address and has solicitors acting on her behalf to reclaim the painting which she said was stored in the attic because she knew of its significant value and did not want to lose it through burglary. Yes of course, very understanding of you. I am sure Mrs Smythe's solicitors will be in touch.’

Phone call: ‘Mrs Wyecliff, it's the conservation department of Christies here. We have received notification from solicitors that you are now the legal owner of the painting and we need your permission to start the investigative conservation ..... Yes .... Could you let me have that in writing please ... The cost, well, all told £2000 should be an approximation but should the article be genuine and we are quite excited by the find, the painting could be worth millions of pounds ... So we are to proceed? Thank you but you will let me have your confirmation in writing. Thank you.’

Phone call: ‘Mrs Smythe? Yes, Christy's conservation dept here. Yes ... well, we have discovered something unusual. Xray reveals there is another painting underneath what we thought could have been a Gauguin, looks like a Klimt. Well, their painting periods overlapped and artists frequently recycled canvasses as a matter of expedient. Whoever did paint this was exceptionally talented – What I Need to know is, are you happy for us to carefully remove the top layer of paint .... A new Klimt? – well it could be anything, even more popular thank Gaugin, whose attraction in the art world was partly his profligate life style ... yes, yes, he died of syphilis having taken several young Tahitian girls to bed as Tahitian wives, after he cast of his wife and children and respectable life style in France, whereas Klimt achieved notoriety by the fact he had 14 known children but never married! Yes rather. He was born into a family of artists so probably used to a bohemian life style ... yes quite fascinating but value? Well a million or so ... oh yes, well cover the price of conservation. Thank you – if your solicitor could send us written permission to proceed? Thank you.’

Phone call. ‘Mrs Smythe, Christy's here. Yes, we have completed the work ... No unfortunately it was not a Klimt but a very fine example of an original Tretchikov. Yes, quite genuine ... value? Oh, I should say about £50. But you can sometimes find them for less in a charity shop.'