Art
These Group of Seven artist’s sketches are fake — and that’s the point of this Vancouver Art Gallery exhibit
The Vancouver Art Gallery has turned a nearly nine-year inquiry into the provenance of 10 oil sketches thought to be by famed Group of Seven painter J.E.H. MacDonald into a new exhibit that details the process that ultimately determined they were fake.
MacDonald, who was born in England but lived in Toronto, founded the Group of Seven, a school of influential Canadian landscape painters active in the 1920s and 1930s who were known for their vibrant colours and dynamic forms.
Members in the group often sketched in oil paint in the field before returning to their studios to turn them into larger paintings.
The sketches are prized pieces of art in their own right and are shown in galleries, including the Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG).
In 2015, the VAG announced an acquisition of 10 new oil sketches, previously unknown to be associated with MacDonald.
But soon after the unveiling of the works, questions arose about whether the oil sketches, some of which depicted vibrant garden scenes, were really by MacDonald.
Globe and Mail reporter Marsha Lederman reported extensively on the issue, chronicling a purported narrative that said the sketches were unearthed from a Ontario backyard.
A Tangled Garden
As art experts and others weighed into the debate, the gallery postponed a planned exhibition in order to investigate the authenticity of the 10 works.
“The gallery turned to leading art historians, handwriting experts and the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) for in-depth scientific and artistic investigation into these sketches,” said VAG CEO and executive director Anthony Kiendl at a news conference on Friday.
Ultimately, the CCI — a federal agency meant to help preserve and validate Canadian heritage, such as art — was able to determine that paint from at least eight of the 10 oil sketches would not have been available to MacDonald during his career. He died in 1932.
“The sketches each contained one or more pigments that were not available during MacDonald’s lifetime, showing he couldn’t have painted these works,” said Kate Helwig, senior conservation scientist at the CCI.
The exhibit also shows discrepancies in the writing on the back of the paintings, which was assessed by handwriting experts.
‘Not embarrassed’
Instead of jettisoning the works, however, the gallery chose to create an expansive exhibit around them that chronicles the journey of their acquisition to the eventual realization that they were fakes.
It’s called J.E.H. MacDonald? A Tangled Garden and features the fake works alongside real, authenticated paintings, along with much of the evidence, interviews and Lederman’s reports.
“This exhibition is one that fundamentally tells the story of the Vancouver Art Gallery’s investigation of these sketches in all its forms,” said Richard Hill, the VAG’s Canadian art curator.
When asked if the gallery was embarrassed to have been duped over the acquisition of the 10 sketches, its leaders said instances of this type of forgery were rare and they were proud to come up with the exhibit about it.
“The question of embarrassment — it’s a good question, but I think that the important thing is that we’re transparent and … that we move forward in an authentic way, and I’m not embarrassed about that,” said Kiendl.
“I’ve very proud of this exhibit.”
J.E.H. MacDonald? A Tangled Garden runs from Dec. 16 until May 12, 2024.
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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