Willem PAERELS
1878–1962, Netherlands/Belgium
Signature proven counterfeit
Oil on canvas, marine scene with boats, approx. 48x48 cm. A woman "EI" submitted, in aug. 1994, this painting to a major auction house in Copenhagen, Denmark for sale. The painting was sold for 7.000 DK. The buyer suspected it was a counterfeit and contacted police. During a search of the forger "EI" in Denmark found a painting studio with a great number of counterfeit works of art by famous artists such as William Paerels, Alixis Kreyder, Edward Cucuel, Ilya Repin, Magnus von Wright, Ragnar Ekelund, Fritz Thaulow ... Police also found a large archive that suggested that many forgeries have already been sold in foreign auction houses across Europe. "EI" is of Russian origin and lived for a short period in Denmark. She managed to escape the police and it is believed that she is now based in Holland. After an expert assessment and judgment declared that the painting is not genuine. It is a forgery.
Signature considered genuine
Signature considered genuine