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Canadian Conservation Institute helps crack major Norval Morrisseau art fraud
The Canadian Conservation Institute, a federal agency under the Heritage Department, played a pivotal role in dismantling Canada’s largest art fraud case involving the works of Indigenous artist Norval Morrisseau. Analysts used advanced imaging technology to uncover evidence of forgery, including a ‘paint by numbers’ style guide consisting of letters like ‘R’ and ‘LB’ hidden beneath the surface of suspected paintings.
The investigation, supported by the Ontario Provincial Police, has resulted in the removal of at least 1,000 fake Morrisseau works from the market. However, experts suggest that as many as 6,000 counterfeit pieces may still be in circulation among private collectors. The fraud involved organized rings, with several individuals facing charges including forgery and fraud.
Morrisseau, known as the ‘Picasso of the North’ and founder of the Woodland School, died in 2007. The scale of the fraud was underscored by the high value of his legitimate works, which have fetched hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction. The case highlights the critical role of scientific documentation in protecting the artistic legacy of Indigenous creators.
Entities
Canadian Conservation Institute · Heritage Department · Mylène Choquette · Norval Morrisseau · Ontario Provincial Police
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Thousands of additional forged works may still be held by private collectors. www.merca2.es · www.artnews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] At least 1,000 forged Norval Morrisseau paintings were removed from the market. www.merca2.es · www.artnews.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Forensic testing revealed forgeries used polyvinyl acetate and styrene, whereas authentic Morrisseau works used only acrylic paint. www.merca2.es
- [● 2 SOURCES] A legitimate Morrisseau painting, Animal Unity (1978), sold for 312,000 Canadian dollars in 2022. www.merca2.es · www.artnews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Canadian Conservation Institute assisted the Ontario Provincial Police in investigating art fraud. streetartparis.fr · www.merca2.es · www.artnews.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Eight individuals faced 40 charges, including forgery and fraud, across three separate schemes. www.merca2.es