Tove JANSSON
1914–2001, Finland
Signature proven counterfeit
Oil on canvas, scene portrait of woman, 47x37 cm. A private person submitted the painting to the auction house Metropol in Stockholm, Sweden for sale. The painting was cataloged as a genuine Tove Jansson on their internet auction. It was sold on online auction for SEK 56.685. When the buyer examines the painting, he discovers that the signature is written with some sort of water-soluble ink. He complain about the deal to the Metropol, which immediately changes the data in the Internet directory. They are then unwilling to repay the sum to the buyer on the grounds that there is no indication in the directory that the painting would be genuine! The buyer had, wisely, printed catalog page before he complained about the painting. He showed the print, and then got the money back! The person who submitted the painting had been bought it at a garage sale for SEK 50. He had submitted this and some other paintings to Metropol auction house.
Signature considered genuine
Signature considered genuine
Signature considered genuine
Signature considered genuine
Signature considered genuine
Signature considered genuine
Signature considered genuine
Signature considered genuine
Signature considered genuine
Signature considered genuine
Signature considered genuine
Signature considered genuine
Signature considered genuine
Signature considered genuine
Signature considered genuine
Signature considered genuine
Signature considered genuine
Signature considered genuine
Signature considered genuine
Signature considered genuine