A new episode of the BBC One series Fake or Fortune? has linked a family heirloom to Katherine Read, the 18th century Scottish painter. The program, which aired on July 23, concluded that the previously unattributed work was in fact painted by Read.
The finding is notable because Katherine Read is an important figure in British art history, and works securely connected to her can carry major historical value. By assigning the painting to Read, the episode turned what had been an unidentified family possession into a significant rediscovery.
Fake or Fortune? is known for re-examining artworks whose authorship has long been uncertain, using research and expert investigation to test whether a painting can be connected to a known artist. In this case, the documentary’s inquiry led to an attribution that places the work within Read’s career rather than leaving it anonymous.
The result adds fresh attention to Katherine Read and to the role television can play in bringing overlooked art histories to a wider audience. It also shows how a painting kept as a family heirloom can take on new importance when its maker is finally established.
