The Unofficial Fake or Fortune? Podcast | EP3: Frances Hodgkins | Was that Nicholson really a fake?

What’s next for the Frances Hodgkins painting—and where can you see it? In the final part of my conversation with collector and writer Robjn Cantus, we return to the remarkable Frances Hodgkins painting featured in the BBC series. 00:00 Introduction 00:50 The Frances Hodgkins painting goes on display 03:20 The £1,500 framing problem 06:03 Cycling through London with the painting 07:29 What filming Fake or Fortune? is really like 09:32 How wartime ration books exposed fakes 11:06 The hidden signature in Hodgkins’ yellow paint 12:34 How Frances Hodgkins’ style evolved 17:50 Collecting, exhibiting and increasing value 19:22 How Fake or Fortune? changed Robjn’s life 21:56 Was the William Nicholson really a fake? 23:50 How a train timetable helped prove the case 26:54 Final thoughts and what’s next Robjn reveals what happened to the painting after filming—including an unconventional bicycle journey through London in a Primark bag. He also shares his honest opinion of the frame I bought especially for the big reveal! We go behind the scenes of Fake or Fortune?, exploring the long waits, early starts and unexpected conversations that never make it into the finished programme. From horsehair hidden in wartime ration-book paper to Hodgkins’ distinctive mixture of yellow pigments, Robjn explains how small details can help unlock an artwork’s history. The conversation also explores Hodgkins’ development as an artist and the impact that appearing on the programme has had on Robjn. And remember the controversial verdict in the William Nicholson investigation from Series 7? Matt reveals more about what really happened. The Frances Hodgkins painting featured in the series can be seen alongside selected works from Robjn’s collection in the Pictures for Schools exhibition at David Parr House in Cambridge until 8 August 2026. This is the third and final part of our conversation. The Unofficial Fake or Fortune? Podcast is an independent production and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the BBC.