Eero JÄRNEFELT
1863–1937, Finland
Also known as: EJT, EJ, EJLT
Oil on canvas, boat on the beach, signed "Eero Järnefelt", 32x38 cm. The painting was presented to sales to a major auction house in Helsinki by three men. They tried to sell a number of fake paintings worth a total of about one million Euros. The artists were European, and Russian. This painting is clumsily executed and does not resemble Järnefelt's way of painting. Estimate price of this painting was Euro14.000. The men were never convicted for lack of evidence.
Oil on canvas, autumn landscape, signed "Eero Järnefelt", 36x46 cm. An art dealer in Finland tried, in 2001, selling several forgeries of famous artists, including Unto Koistinen, Helen Schjerfbeck and Eero Järnefelt at a price of 134,000 Finnish marks. This painting was discovered by Eero Järnefelt daughter, Laura Järnefelt. The motif is typical of Järnefelt but the quality is too poor. It sold for 40,000 Finnish marks (Euro 6700). After an expert assessment and judgment declared that the painting is not genuine. It is a forgery.
Gouache, landscape with lake and mountains, signed "Eero Järnefelt" 53x69,5 cm. A man tried to sell fakes, including Pekka Halonen, to an art dealer in Finland. Art dealer knew, however, that the original of Halonen was in a private home because he previously had sold it! Police investigation revealed an extensive trade in fakes with several people involved, including a man from Romania. The painting is not representative of Järnefelt. It was for sale for 20,000 Finnish marks (Euro 3360).