Gallery defends authenticity of disputed Peeter Mudist paintings

E-Kunstisalong says its experience supports the authenticity of two Peeter Mudist works due to go under the hammer this weekend, despite doubts raised by art historians, ERR reported.

The Tartu gallery, which has operated for nearly 30 years, is offering more than 100 works at the auction. The two paintings attributed to Mudist have starting prices of 3,700 and 4,700 euros. Postimees reported that they could be forgeries.

Anonymous art historians told ERR’s Aktuaalne kaamera that the paintings’ use of colour raised concerns. One work has colours that appear too dull and underworked, they said, while the other has colours they considered too garish and discordant. They also said the trees in the second painting are unusually large and dominant for Mudist’s work. One expert added that the artist made few abstract works and did not use colour and composition in this way. Neither painting has a certificate of authenticity.

Gallery owner Tiia Karelson said the works are originals and that the gallery’s experience gives it confidence in its judgment. She said the paintings came from a good collection and that certificates are not usually provided with works sold at the gallery. The only work there with what she described as a proper certificate is by Edgar Valter, whose foster daughter supplied the document.

Art historian Aleksander Metsamärt said auction houses in Estonia generally seek to prevent forgeries from being sold through visual inspection and technical studies. In this case, he said, experts have raised concerns before the auction, and technical examination would be the best way to resolve them. Karelson said the gallery did not doubt the paintings’ authenticity and added that if no one bought them after the warnings, “the matter would be resolved.”