Jonathan Sommer News Today

A painting by the artist Norval Morrisseau has been removed by McGill University pending a review of its authenticity over concerns of fraud.

The university says the painting has been removed from view temporarily and it will ‘communicate the result of the investigation’ when completed

I owe the leaders of the Canadian Party of Quebec (CaPQ) an apology.

The Morrisseau Estate believes inauthentic paintings now outnumber real ones on the market, experts would like McGill to remove the painting from display and have its provenance determined

The Ontario Provincial Police have seized the artwork for further investigation as the gallery, The Whetung Ojibwa Centre, says it will support the efforts of law enforcement

Painting has been removed until more information can be obtained about the provenance of the painting known as Salmon Life Giving Spawn

The painting, called Salmon Life Giving Spawn, is being seized as part of Project Totton, according to a police spokesperson

NCC spokesperson confirms it is working with authorities to verify the authenticity of the artwork

Some art experts are cautioning that the spiking value of Maud Lewis paintings will make the Nova Scotia folk artist's work more attractive for fraudsters to replicate.

'They don't have to believe it. They just have to wonder whether it's true.'