McGill University Says Morrisseau Likely Fake

×

Expand

When Isabelle Hawkins, a U3 student majoring in Art History

was tasked with researching the authenticity of “Shaman Surrounded by Ancestral Spirit Totems”, a painting attributed to Anishinaabe artist Norval Morrisseau, she quickly realized that the process of art authenticity was more complicated than she initially thought. (photo courtesy McGill Arts on Instagram)

McGill University says it is likely in possession of a painting falsely attributed to painter Norval Morrisseau, according to a story in The Globe and Mail.

Gwendolyn Owens, the director of McGill’s visual arts collection, told The Globe “that the university’s investigation led McGill to believe the piece ‘is not an authentic artwork by Norval Morrisseau.’ 

In 2013, the painting, entitled Shaman Surrounded by Ancestral Spirit Totems, was given to the university with documentation stating it was painted by Morrisseau, Owens told The Globe and Mail.

The Thunder Bay Police Service and Ontario Provincial Police have said there are up to 6,000 fake paintings attributed to Morrisseau. Police have no plans to seize the McGill painting, which had been on display at the university's McLennan Library until recently. 

“The artwork has been removed from public view but remains available to researchers,” Owens said in the news story. “We would like to thank all the scholars, collectors and professionals who supported us and helped make new evidence available.”

Source: The Globe and Mail

Also see: Morrisseau Art Fraud Ringleader Pleads Guilty

Ontario Provincial Police Arrest Eight in Norval Morrisseau Art Fraud Ring

David Voss Sentenced For Role in Morrisseau Art Fraud

PS: Worried you missed something? See previous Galleries West stories here or sign up for our free biweekly newsletter.