European painting passed off as a Juan Luna–for P55M

Will the fakery and deception never end? Apparently, in the art world, it remains a thriving trend.

Inquirer Lifestyle recently got hold of some pages from a catalog of an auction held at the Drouot-Richelieu Auction House in Paris, France, in July 2012.

On page 25, item no. 73, is a painting by a European artist named P. Ribera, “La femme trompée,” painted in Paris in 1844. It was priced at only 4,000 euros, or about a final cost of 5,000 euros with shipping, as it was apparently brought to Manila.

The local art scene is abuzz with talk that it’s being passed off as a Juan Luna, allegedly authenticated by a Luna expert, and priced at P55 million. No takers, we heard, so far.

 

 

‘La femme trompée,’ painted by P. Ribera, on a page of catalog of an auction held in Paris in July 2012

 

Same image identified as a Juan Luna

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