A technical examination conducted by Christina Young and Tess Visser at the Kelvin Centre features in the latest episode of the BBC's popular tv series, Fake or Fortune?

Fake or Fortune? investigates the stories behind works of art and looks to attribute artists to previously unattributed works. This episode, 'Flemish Old Master' (series 10, episode 4), focuses on a panel painting of The Deposition of Christ from the Cross (Lamentation). Thought to be Flemish and possibly 16th century, the painting hangs in the Church of St John the Baptist in Port Glasgow where it previously formed a reredos.

The Deposition of Christ from the Cross (Lamentation), oil on panel, Flemish school, possibly 16th Century, owned by Roman Catholic Church of Scotland, housed in Church of St John the Baptist, Port Glasgow.

The Deposition of Christ from the Cross (Lamentation), oil on panel, Flemish school, possibly 16th Century, owned by Roman Catholic Church of Scotland, housed in Church of St John the Baptist, Port Glasgow.

Analysis at the Kelvin Centre involved examining the painting using visible and ultra-violet light, infra-red reflectography, X-ray imaging, pXRF (portable X-Ray fluorescence), and macro-imaging. In addition, a small sample was taken from the bottom edge next to an area of damage from which a cross-section was made and examined with optical microscopy. This technical analysis was combined by the Fake or Fortune? team with a range of other evidence from archival sources and art history experts.

And the verdict ...

Evidence suggests it is a late 16th century panel cut down from a larger altarpiece, with the likely artist being a painter from the circle of Michiel Coxcie (1499-1592), possibly his oldest son, Raphael.

 

First published: 30 November 2022

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