Suspected forgery of Reidar Särestöniemi artwork removed from Kouvola exhibition
A painting attributed to Finnish artist Reidar Särestöniemi has been removed from an exhibition at Vuohijärvi Cultural Centre in Kouvola after experts raised strong suspicions of forgery. The work, titled Stalin in Galactic Timeframe, was part of the Reidar Särestöniemi Experience exhibition.
The cultural centre initiated an investigation after concerns were raised by experts from the Särestöniemi Museum in Kittilä, who confirmed the suspicion based on the artwork’s overall impression. According to Yle, the National Gallery later identified multiple inconsistencies, including the canvas material, paint colours and sheen, handwriting, dimensions, and techniques that deviated from Särestöniemi’s known style. Iltalehti adds that the work was notably smaller than an authentic Särestöniemi piece.
The painting was loaned to the exhibition from a private collection, where it had been acquired through an international auction. Suspicions arose only after the exhibition had opened, as the work was selected based on an image rather than in-person inspection (Iltalehti).
Vuohijärvi Cultural Centre has removed the suspected forgery and sent it to the National Gallery for further examination by conservators and material researchers. The matter will later be referred to authorities for official review. A replacement artwork has since been added to the exhibition.
