William Nicholson's Glass Jug: Thumbprint, Timetables, Truth | Fake or Fortune | S7 E1

A still life once worth six figures is ruled a fake. But a thumbprinted monogram, a hidden bouquet, and a railway timetable refuse to stay quiet. In this investigation, Fake or Fortune dives into the disputed “Glass Jug” still life attributed to British master William Nicholson. We open the sealed frame, uncover studio scribbles and paint splashes, and follow a trail from Mayfair to the Courtauld Institute, the Fitzwilliam Museum, and the National Gallery of Canada. Scientific imaging reveals an unexpected painting beneath, Nicholson’s paint box offers pigment clues, and a handwriting expert weighs a flamboyant G against the artist’s own letters. Even the notorious forger John Myatt is asked a pointed question. Then comes the tightest comparison of all: Lynne’s “Glass Jug” side by side with Ottawa’s accepted Nicholson. Is it studio, student… or the real thing? The evidence stacks up in surprising ways, but one authority’s verdict could still change everything. Watch to see how science, provenance, and connoisseurship collide. #FakeOrFortune #WilliamNicholson #ArtAuthentication #ArtMystery #Provenance #ForensicArt #StillLife