Ivan Pavlovich POKHITONOV
1851–1924, Ukraine/Russia
Also known as: Pokitonov, Pohitonov, Pochitonov
Signature proven counterfeit
Oil painting on panel, depicting lake landscape with trees, 29,5 x23, 5 cm, signed Pokitonov (Ivan Pavlovich Pokhitonov 1851-1924). An art dealer in Stockholm with Russian ancestry gave this painting to Uppsala Auktionskammare in Sweden for sale in October 2007. Value, about SEK 500.000. The Auction House discovered that the painting had been sold to the same art dealer in January 2006 for SEK 2.200. Submitted by a private person living in Finland. The painting was then cataloged as unknown artist and had a completely different signature. Uppsala Auktionskammare then contacted police who confiscated the painting for further investigation. Technical examination revealed that the painting had been cut at the base so that the previous signature had been removed. A new forged signature has been painted, and some detailed changes have been made. Finally, a new surface with varnish imposed over the area for the signature. The district court's decision: serious fraud and signature falsification. Court of Appeals held the District Court's decision on community service equivalent imprisonment for six months.
Signature considered genuine
Signature considered genuine
Signature considered genuine
Signature considered genuine
Signature considered genuine