This is beginning to sounds very similar to the recent Knoedler scandal here in the U.S. and it appears that some collectors, dealers and auction rooms are not going to be very happy. According to Adam Luck’s article in the Daily Mail, as much as £200M worth of Old Master art may in fact not be OLD! Luck goes on to say that: Sotheby’s has been forced to take back an £8.4 million ‘Frans Hals’ and The Mail on Sunday understands the auction house is now pursuing the London dealer, Mark Weiss, who supplied the painting.
This is not the first time Mr. Weiss has hit the darker side of the art world. Back in 2011 we posted a story from the Telegraph about his poison pen campaign against Philip Mould: Mayfair art dealer Mark Weiss in disgrace after admitting poison pen campaign against rival Philip Mould.
The Old Master market is a tricky one with attributions changing all the time. If you are going to travel down that road, it is really important to deal with true experts. Those that do the right research and will stand behind every work they sell.
Source: Market in crisis as experts warn £200m of paintings could be fakes
Fake Frans Hals