A British art enthusiast who purchased a painting for just £78 ($96) at a local auction has discovered it's actually worth over £100,000 ($130,000) after BBC experts confirmed it was created by renowned New Zealand artist Frances Hodgkins. The remarkable discovery was featured on the popular BBC documentary series "Fake or Fortune," which helps authenticate valuable artworks and screens in New Zealand on Sky Arts.
Art blogger Robjn Cantus made the incredible find in 2019 when he bought the painting at a Hertfordshire County Council auction. The council was selling off artwork from their "Pictures for Schools" scheme, an educational program that purchased modern British art to lend to schools and "give children artwork that was inspiring to look at." Cantus, who was writing a book about the scheme at the time, initially paid just £35 ($43) for the piece, thinking it might be worth documenting for his research.
The painting's true identity remained a mystery until Cantus shared an image on his blog, initially believing it was created by British artist Vera Cunningham, whose works typically don't command high prices at auction. However, an eagle-eyed reader contacted Cantus to suggest the unsigned work might actually be by Frances Hodgkins, the celebrated New Zealand modernist painter. This tip would prove to be life-changing for the amateur art collector.
Frances Hodgkins left New Zealand in 1906 to build her career in the United Kingdom, where she became recognized as an important modernist artist. Her works can be found in museums and galleries worldwide, and her market value has grown significantly over the years. In 2021, a Hodgkins watercolor sold for an impressive £312,000 ($405,000), demonstrating the high regard for her artistic contributions.
When the "Fake or Fortune" team, hosted by Antiques Roadshow's Fiona Bruce and art dealer Philip Mould, took on the case, they launched an extensive international investigation. Cantus admitted to the BBC that he initially thought the modernist work might have been painted by a schoolchild, with Bruce agreeing that the piece was "hard to love." However, Cantus acknowledged that he began to appreciate the painting much more once he learned it could potentially be a Hodgkins original.
Mould initially estimated that if the painting's provenance could be proven authentic, it could be worth over £60,000 ($78,000). The investigation required expertise from both UK and New Zealand art specialists, highlighting the international significance of Hodgkins' work. The team conducted thorough research across multiple countries to establish the painting's authenticity and historical importance.
The authentication process involved calling upon Frances Hodgkins expert Mary Kisler, who participated in the investigation from Auckland, New Zealand. When the team reconvened to deliver their findings, Kisler was beamed in via video link to share her expert analysis. Her verdict was unequivocal: "I emphatically think it is by Frances Hodgkins," she declared, confirming the painting's authenticity and historical significance.
Following Kisler's authentication, Mould revised his estimate significantly upward, stating that the painting could now be worth £100,000 ($130,000) or more. Bruce described the discovery as "the find of a lifetime," emphasizing the extraordinary nature of such a valuable artwork being discovered at such a modest price. The revelation transformed what appeared to be a minor purchase into a major art historical discovery.
Despite the painting's substantial value, Cantus has decided to keep the artwork rather than sell it. He told the BBC that he plans to display it in his home, explaining that he "would probably be unlikely to afford one ever again." His decision reflects both an appreciation for the art itself and an understanding of the rarity of owning an authenticated work by such a significant artist.
The discovery highlights both the potential treasures hidden in public collections and the importance of expert authentication in the art world. Cantus revealed that after completing the investigation, he had initially cycled back from London with the valuable painting casually stored in a Primark shopping bag, unaware of its true significance. The story serves as a reminder that valuable artworks can sometimes be found in the most unexpected places, waiting for the right expert eye to recognize their true worth.
