‘Fake’ oil painting turns out to be a £250,000 treasure
A MAN who took an old oil painting to the Antiques Roadshow was stunned when art experts told him it was worth more than his house.
The owner, from south-east London, had always thought the family heirloom to be a fake, only to learn it was a “national treasure” valued at £250,000 – a record for the TV show.
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The picture of a beautiful, fair-haired girl was painted by First World War artist Sir William Orpen and shows his mistress, Yvonne Aubicque.
The anonymous owner had always considered it to be simply a good copy of Sir William’s original painting.
But in fact, the renowned artist had painted two of the portraits, one of which was a gift for Daily Express owner Lord Beaverbrook.
Antiques Roadshow expert Rupert Maas realised the painting was an original after spotting a signature on the work, Nepro Mailliw, or William Orpen spelt backwards.
The show will be screened on BBC1 tomorrow at 8pm.