I watched a couple of episodes of this series after running out of Fake or Fortune episodes. The show takes some getting used to due to a rather strange format and Grosvenor now a lead presenter rather than assistant to the more outgoing male presenter on the popular Fake or Fortune. The co-presenter is a black British woman whose role is to delve into ethnic/cultural issues associated with the art being investigated. These issues are generally associated with the days of the British empire ranging from heavy stuff like slavery and to lighter fare such as 18th century scandals. The spectre of British superiority and racist history looms large on selected pieces that set the pounce for pc shaming of the venerable empire art. So the show sometimes comes across as very educational and other times as cultural selection. There are thousands and thousands of paintings in Britain's museums yet this woman finds the one percent with a black man getting bad treatment? Suggest explaining this format at the beginning of the show or spin off another investigating the whole genre of oriental art and ethnic issues under the British empire. This could be done with some humor maybe even re-enacting etc. This would be much more entertaining to the viewer while at the same time educating about the history associated with the paintings. Overall though the show is pretty good, especially considering the dearth of art shows.
4 Reviews
More please!
nancy-793-2288797 March 2020
It Was Brilliant
martimusross21 February 2023
This was a total treat from start to finish, it wasn't perfect but very nearly so! The split between the history and provenance was mostly right, but a bit more about it past through sales and ownership was sometimes missing.
The high points were the insights Bendor gave to camera, often with humour and a curtain quirkiness of reference of unknown detail that about the painter or the history of the place. His personal opinions were great, as we all hold opinions and a gut reaction to something often reflects the viewers.
Ultimately is was the art and the programme chose well it's investigations. Simon Gillespie was a star as were Jackie and Emma
I'm giving this a 10 outta 10 for shear entertainment, this is the BBC at its very best.
The high points were the insights Bendor gave to camera, often with humour and a curtain quirkiness of reference of unknown detail that about the painter or the history of the place. His personal opinions were great, as we all hold opinions and a gut reaction to something often reflects the viewers.
Ultimately is was the art and the programme chose well it's investigations. Simon Gillespie was a star as were Jackie and Emma
I'm giving this a 10 outta 10 for shear entertainment, this is the BBC at its very best.
Great Show!
Melibau18 July 2023
The show was entertaining and educational. It improved each episode. I liked the role Emma played as the social historian as it showed how society was at the time of the painting that was presented. Bendor provided great detail into the the history and science behind it.
Both Bendor and Emma are entertaining and love the British humour with the hidden jokes. I enjoyed how they provided personal opinions and it didn't feel scripted.
I liked how they chose cities as the episode's topic. The Petworth episode should start a spinoff and start a series on The National Trust and English Heritage.
It would have been great when they referenced overseas museums, they would do so by name and instead of an 'American museum'. I loved how they both explored different museums to connect the dots. To include the curators and experts was a great addition to the show. Watching Simon clean the art was interesting.
Hopefully another network picks it up as season five and overall the series was great and there are many more unknown art in Britain and the world!
Both Bendor and Emma are entertaining and love the British humour with the hidden jokes. I enjoyed how they provided personal opinions and it didn't feel scripted.
I liked how they chose cities as the episode's topic. The Petworth episode should start a spinoff and start a series on The National Trust and English Heritage.
It would have been great when they referenced overseas museums, they would do so by name and instead of an 'American museum'. I loved how they both explored different museums to connect the dots. To include the curators and experts was a great addition to the show. Watching Simon clean the art was interesting.
Hopefully another network picks it up as season five and overall the series was great and there are many more unknown art in Britain and the world!
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