Fake Or Fortune drama as art collector takes a gamble and turns down HUGE sum for his ‘lost masterpiece’ painting

An art collector is set to cause some ‘high drama’ on BBC show Fake Or Fortune? as he turns down a huge sum of money for his ‘lost masterpiece painting’.

Artist David Taylor originally purchased the oil canvas for £2000 for its appearance alone before experts later identified it as the missing artwork by 20th century Canadian impressionist Helen McNicoll.

However, David raises plenty of eyebrows when he rejects the whopping offer of £300,000 from a private collector and instead decides to take a gamble at auction, reports The Mirror.

The painting in question, called The Bean Harvest, had been ‘missing’ for 110 years, having last been spotted at an exhibition at London‘s Royal Academy in 1915. 

David appeared on the BBC programme last year, where presenters Fiona Bruce and Philip Mould helped him prove the painting’s authenticity.

Helen McNicoll’s signature was only discovered when David removed the artwork – which depicts a woman picking beans in a field – from the frame, with art dealer Phillip then estimating it to be worth between £150,000-£200,000.

An art collector is set to cause some ‘high drama’ on BBC show Fake Or Fortune? as he turns down a huge sum of money for his ‘lost masterpiece painting’ [Hosts Fiona Bruce and Philip Mould with the painting last year]

Artist David Taylor [right] originally purchased the oil canvas for £2000 for its appearance alone before experts later identified it as the missing artwork by 20th century Canadian impressionist Helen McNicoll

Helen McNicoll, who went deaf from the age of two, is one of Canada’s most celebrated artists and known for her impressionist representations of rural landscapes. 

Her flourishing career was cut short in 1915 when she died aged 35 following complications from diabetes. 

When the hosts later revisited David, he was keen to sell, with billionaire philanthropist and private collector Pierre Lassonde – who is a major collector of McNicoll’s work – showing a keen interest in the art.

Canadian Pierre flew to London to see the painting in person before going on to offer David £300k for the masterpiece. 

He said of the work: ‘For a painting that has been missing for 110 years, I think it’s fantastic… I wouldn’t mind adding one more piece to my collection.’

However, David went on to reject the offer and decided to try his luck at Sotheby’s auction house in London, with the hopes that the cash from the sale would help fund the purchase of a bungalow which he needed for health reasons. 

The results of this auction is set to be seen in an upcoming episode of Fake Or Fortune. 

Commenting on David’s actions, host Fiona remarked: ‘There’s some high drama with this picture’, states the publication. 

The painting in question, called The Bean Harvest [pictured], had been ‘missing’ for 110 years, having last been spotted at an exhibition at London’s Royal Academy in 1915

The Bean Harvest artwork went on view at London’s Sotheby’s in November 2024, with viewers set to see in an upcoming episode whether David’s gamble has paid off

While Lincoln-based artist David noted: ‘I needed to sell it. I couldn’t insure a £300,000 painting so I had to do something with it.

‘Sotheby’s were there and they said: “we have got a sale coming up”, so I thought that tis was perfect. I am hoping for a record price.’ 

A source told The Mirror: ‘Who’d guessed that Fake Or Fortune? would end up like David Dickenson’s Real Deal? Owner rejects a huge offer and tries his luck at auction, it’s gripping stuff.’

An insider added: ‘Viewers are left waiting until the very last minutes of the show to find out whether he is a big winner – or a big loser.’ 

The results of the auction will be aired on Fake Or Fortune: What Happened Next on Monday 25 August at 6.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.