Fake of Fortune? – BBC1

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Philip and Fiona in Fake or Fortune?
(Image credit: BBC Studios/Todd-White Art Photo)

Philip Mould and Fiona Bruce investigate what could be a priceless 18th-century portrait in this week’s Fake or Fortune on BBC1

Fiona Bruce and Philip Mould (both pictured above) set out to find out the provenance of an exceptional 18th-century portrait of aristocrat Peniston Lamb in this week's Fake or Fortune? on BBC1.

Philip spotted the painting at the Cecil family’s home in central London and instantly believed it to be an undiscovered work by renowned Regency artist Sir Thomas Lawrence, who painted Queen Charlotte.

However, the family have documents attributing the painting of their ancestor to pioneering female artist Maria Cosway, who was a contemporary of Lawrence.

See if Philip's hunch about this painting is correct in Fake or Fortune? on BBC1

See if Philip's hunch about this painting is correct in Fake or Fortune? on BBC1

What follows is a fascinating paper trail, with help from clothing historians and genealogists…

MORE: Fake or Fortune? – BBC1

Will science have the final say?

If Philip’s hunch is correct, the painting, already worth thousands, could be valued at over half a million.

TV Times rating: ****

Mandy Cooper
Mandy Cooper
TV Times Highlights Editor

As TV Times Highlights Editor I get to hear about all the latest TV shows coming soon. Here at TVT HQ we are in the privileged position of selecting the best programmes from across all the channels and streaming platforms. Our mission is to make it easier for our readers to decide what to watch - and give them lots of choice of genres - all the latest shows, plus some nostalgic choices we call hidden gems, too. My career began with a postgraduate degree in periodical journalism (ahem, yes old school!) in 1991 and I’ve worked in TV media since 2000.