Claude MONET
1840–1926, France

Oil on canvas, landscape with water in förgunden, untitled, signed Claude Monet, approx. 40x55 cm. Ostensibly picturing a genuine painting by the French artist Claude Monet. The painting was seized in connection with the investigation against the league “The Society of Art Friends”. The story of “The Society of Art Friends”. Three men, aged 30, 37, and 40 years old, were caught in Stockholm, Sweden after a reconnaissance tip from police in Ängelholm, Sweden. Shortly afterwards, another two men were caught. In total, 48 house searches were made through out the nation from which 83 forged paintings were confiscated. Forged art had already been sold for millions of Swedish crowns. Victims of the gang were well known businessmen with considerable incomes. League had good help from educated art experts who have written certificate of authenticity to many of the fake paintings, often at very small remuneration. On a door to a flat in Stockholm the men had displayed a sign with the text “The Society of Art Friends”.

Oil on canvas, 44x81 cm, signed 'Claude Monet 1902'. The survey shows that the painting is enhanced in the lower right corner, but otherwise, no other changes in the painting is found. It's a mediocre imitation. The painting is similar to another Monet-counterfeiting. It could possibly be done by the same person. The painting is too dark to be made by Claude Monet. The painting has an incorrect coloring. In 1902, Claude Monet painted mostly water lilies. After an expert investigation and judgment declared that the painting is not genuine. Claude Monet has not performed or signed this painting. It is a forgery.

Oil on canvas, Landscape with Figures, no title, signed "Claude Monet 03", 49x68 cm. Signing are the original and some changes on the painting can not be observed. This is not the work of Claude Monet. It is painted for about 50 years ago, at the end of the 1940s. The painting is quickly made ​​by someone who is good at painting landscapes. The light and the color does not match with Claude Monet. He has a brilliant color technology and is much more distinct. Sailboat seemingly inspired by Monet while the child and the woman is more typical of Renoir. The painting is probably made ​​in Sweden after 1945 and is quite well done. The District Court's assessment: The painting is an original forgery and is not signed by Claude Monet.

Oil on canvas, Cityscape with water in förgunden, untitled, signed by Claude Monet, 59x72 cm. Ostensibly picturing a genuine painting by the French artist Claude Monet. The painting was sold with a certificate of authenticity to a person in 1962 to 13,000 Swedish crowns in cash with a switch of 15,000 Swedish crowns. Meanwhile sold a painting signed "Hill" depicting a true work of Carl Fredrik Hill, valued at 30,000 Swedish crowns. The purchase went back. The paintings included in one of the many cases of fraud, the police seized during the late 1980's and early 1990's. After expert investigation and they explained that the paintings is not genuine. They are counterfeit.