Léon BAKST
1866–1924, Russia

Watercolour, 37x24 cm, signed "BAKST, ostensibly representing an original painting by Leon Bakst This painting was submitted to a large auction house in Stockholm for sale in April 2008. It was sold for 17,000 SEK. The buyer became suspicious about the painting's authenticity. He contacts the auction house which withdraw the painting and pays back the amount. The auction house summoned the the police who took the painting seized. Subsequent investigation by experts shows that the painting is a forgery. The district court's assessment: The painting is a forgery and should as such be forfeited.