Jules René HERVÉ
1887–1981, France/USA

Oil on canvas, 80x40 cm, signed, motives "Le Pont, Paris' ostensibly picturing an authentic painting by the French artist" Jules René Hervé ". The painting was for sale in a small auction house, via the internet. It was sold for 8.000 SEK (ca. 8.000 EUR), but the buyer did not complete the purchase. Shortly thereafter, the painting was sold for 19.618 SEK (ca. 1.962 EUR). via the Internet by another major auction houses. The buyer suspected that the painting was a forgery and contacted a major foreign auction house that he collaborated with. They respond that the painting is probably not authentic. The purchase went back and police engaged. The painting was examined by experts who concluded that it had been tampered with. A previous signature had been removed and that it has a new varnish in some places. The seller stated during questioning that he had bought the painting for 2.000 SEK (ca. 200 EUR). That it was painted in a style that he thought consistent with Hervé's paintings. That he had removed the existing signature and instead had forged Jules Rene Herve's signature to raise the painting value and thus make more money. The seller had a time bought and sold art. When this did not yield the expected revenue, it became all too tempting to instead forge art. Court: The painting Le Pont, Paris is not painted or signed by Jules Rene Herve. It is a forgery and shall be forfeited.