Proving that a William Nicholson is genuine
sir – Like many viewers of the BBC programme Fake or Fortune, broadcast on August 12, I was amazed that, despite the forensic evidence, the painting attributed to William Nicholson was still declared a fake (report, August 13).
It seems that this would mean that after scraping off a painting of freesias, Nicholson gave one of his used boards and his box of paints to a student artist. After the painting was completed, the student handed it back to Nicholson who then added his thumb print and N signature, and wrote the title on the back of the canvas. Is this likely?
Judy Barton
Halstead, Essex
sir – The episode itself found evidence that the highly qualified participants considered sufficient to justify the attribution of the painting to Nicholson. It is Patricia Reed, author of the catalogue raisonné and a Nicholson expert, who remains unconvinced.
One important piece of the jigsaw was the opinion of the eminent dealer, the late Lillian Browse. Her own catalogue of Nicholson’s work included a manuscript addition listing the picture in question. I knew Lillian Browse well. She had a wonderful eye; she knew the artist and had studied Nicholson in depth for many years.
Although absolute proof of authenticity is often elusive, it is hard to believe that her judgment can now be so readily discounted. Sir Angus Stirling
London W14