A portrait by Scottish painter Katherine Read, previously kept in a sleeping bag, has been confirmed as an authentic and vital piece of 18th-century art by the BBC series Fake or Fortune. The painting, which depicts a woman in a royal Indian setting, is estimated to be worth more than £100,000.
Mary-Louise Wedderburn, a retired accountant, inherited the artwork from her uncle two decades ago. She long suspected it was the work of Read, a distant relative known for her focus on women and children. Art historian Charles Greig led the authentication efforts, utilizing technical analysis from the Courtauld Institute to compare the pigments and brushwork against known Read portraits. Greig noted that the depiction of a royal Indian subject, rather than a servant or wife of a European, makes the piece historically significant.
Katherine Read was a highly successful artist during her lifetime, though her reputation faded over time as her works were frequently misattributed. Experts believe this portrait is the earliest known depiction of an Indian sitter painted by a European woman. Presenter Fiona Bruce highlighted the importance of the discovery, noting that public exhibition of the work would help restore the visibility and legacy of this pioneering female artist.