Can you Spot the Forgery?
The Horseman is the genuine drawing by Guys. It is stamped twice as belonging to the collection of Nadar, a pseudonym for the photographer Félix Tournachon (1820-1910). Nadar was a close friend of the artist and assembled a collection of over 140 drawings by Guys. This sketch exhibits the frenzied pencil strokes described by Baudelaire as a hallmark of the artist’s graphic style.
The drawing of a Horse and carriage was donated to The Courtauld in 2011 as a forgery for teaching purposes. The graphite underdrawing is faint, while the frenzied strokes are reserved for the overly forceful pen lines. The background figures and landscape are indicated in dots and large, undefined areas of wash, whereas Guys typically outlined these aspects in the same pen and ink as his foreground characters.
Part of The Curiosity Cabinet exhibition 'FAKE OR REAL? - King's X The Courtauld Gallery'.
