André DERAIN

1880–1954, France

Signature proven counterfeit

Details

Police Authority Stockholm

Verdict of guilty DB 199, 1035-72 D. (int.nr.PHM3745:14)

English Swedish

Oil on canvas, interior with seated woman signed "Derain", 54x44. Ostensibly depicting a genuine painting by the French artist André Derain (1880-1954). The painting is part of a major fraud seizures of counterfeit art in Sweden known as ”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”.

1924-1925

Signature considered genuine

Name André DERAIN

Birth 1880, France

Died 1954, France

English

André Derain

André Derain originally trained as an engineer, but quickly came into contact with painters such as De Vlaminck and Matisse. Together with them he became one of the leading artists of the Fauve movement in France. After 1908 however, he changed direction and went on to specialize in painting landscapes to which he applied the principles developed by Cézanne.

After the First World War his work became more classical and he took inspiration from the work of famous painters such as Camille Corot. In addition to being a painter, Derain was also an illustrator, set designer and sculptor. It is interesting to note that he drew inspiration for his sculpture from non-western primitive art, which he also collected. His work is included in the collections of all the major museums throughout the entire world.

Source: http://www.paol-co.com/search_artist_uk.asp?ArtistID=99