By KAZUNORI HAGA/ Staff Writer
March 14, 2025 at 18:37 JST
“Girl with Swan” from the collection of the Museum of Art, Kochi, was long believed to be a work of German artist Heinrich Campendonk but has turned out to be a forgery. (Provided by the museum)
KOCHI--The Museum of Art, Kochi, is asking for a refund after confirming that what it believed to be a century-old modern art masterpiece in its collection is a forgery.
On March 14, prefectural officials announced that “Girl with Swan,” long attributed to German expressionist Heinrich Campendonk (1889-1957), has been confirmed to have been painted by a master forger.
The prefecture will seek a refund from the art dealer in Nagoya that sold the painting to the museum in 1996 for 18 million yen ($121,000).
The announcement follows an expert investigation into the oil painting, which was prompted by a source alerting the museum in June to concerns about the artwork's authenticity.
Officials said the painting was likely forged by German artist Wolfgang Beltracchi, known for his mastery in counterfeiting works of famous artists.
Beltracchi, who served time in prison for his art deceptions, has confirmed to The Asahi Shimbun that he painted the picture that was sold to the Kochi museum.
He claims that another painting, owned by a museum in neighboring Tokushima Prefecture, is also one of his forgeries. Tokushima officials have launched their own investigation into the artwork.
In finding “Girl with Swan” to be a forgery, Kochi officials cited a titanium white pigment likely used in the artwork, which was not readily available in 1919, which the artwork dates to.
Officials said the painting has a label on its back showing its provenance, which is also believed to have been fabricated by Beltracchi.
Additionally, the painting and its image appear on the German police list of artworks forged by Beltracchi.
In response to the revelation, officials pledged steps to prevent a recurrence, including more thorough research on artworks prior to purchase.
Despite its exposure as a forgery, some still appreciate the painting’s value as an artwork.
In light of the public notoriety generated by recent reports, officials are considering re-exhibiting the painting, accompanied by notes on its history and context.
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