In the living room, everyone looked at Ji Cheng with strange eyes.

They never thought that Charlie, the world's famous top art appraisal master. Wayne actually said that this "Portrait of Jacob III" is genuine!

"Really...... Authentic? "Xiao Lizi was the first to be stupid.

Leang. Blake also looked dizzy and said, "Isn't the real work in the Dalic Gallery?" Professor Wayne, you didn't make a mistake, did you? Why don't you re-evaluate? ”

"That is, the authenticity of Rembrandt's work is difficult to determine, Professor Wayne, even if you read it wrong, it is very normal." MERRY. Zhu Xi followed.

Everyone present was skeptical of the result, and it was not to blame them, who had allowed the painting in the Dulwich Gallery to exist for years.

Even if it's Steve. Cohen hesitated a little at the moment: "Professor Wayne, why do you say that this "Portrait of Jacob III" is genuine? Is there any evidence for this? ”

Ji Cheng didn't feel surprised at all when he saw everyone's reaction, he understood everyone's attitude towards this painting, not to mention that this group of top rich people knew which well-known artworks were stored where, even he, a relatively little bit of Western art, doubted the authenticity of this oil painting when he first saw it in the 80s.

"The authenticity of Rembrandt's work has always been a difficult question to argue." Charlie. In the first half of the twentieth century, it was believed that Rembrandt left 600 to 650 works, but since the birth of the Rembrandt Research Project, this number has rapidly shrunk to about 250. ”

He pushed his glasses and paused, then continued, "There are two key factors that affect the smooth running of Rembrandt's research project. First, it tries to resort to committee judging, but the judging process is subject to indecision and groupthink. It's easier and less risky to say that a painting is 'not' Rembrandt's work than to say 'yes'. In such cases, the most demanding scholars stick to their 'iron laws' and influence others with them. ”

"Secondly, some believe that connoisseurship itself is outdated. The New Art History' argues that connoisseurship is superfluous, an elitist practice, and is no longer seen as a key skill for art historians and curators. Social, economic, and philosophical interpretations have reshaped the order of today's art world. Thus, although the question of the authenticity of Rembrandt's works has arisen from time to time, the broad and lively debate cannot be sustained. Fewer and fewer experts and scholars will take the initiative to participate in such debates. When the 'Rembrandt Research Project' began to swing its attribution axe, others joined in, including major museum directors. The Rembrandt scholar clings to every doubt – if work X is no longer 'right', then works y and z, which are certain to be done in a similar way, must also be 'wrong'. ”

Charlie. Wayne looked at the crowd, "That's the main reason why it's hard to determine the authenticity of Rembrandt." ”

Everyone listened to it again and again, and they had to say that Professor Wayne was really good at professional knowledge.

Ji Cheng also secretly admired Professor Wayne's almost temporary "speech" so leaky, and at first glance, he had real talent and real learning.

"As an aside, this project was scrapped in 1993." Charlie. Wayne added, and then quickly refuted the crowd's opinion, "The main reason why you think this Portrait of Jacob III in front of you is a fake, is that there is a similar work in the Dalic Gallery. ”

"Yes." Xiao Lizi nodded.

The others also showed a tacit expression.

Charlie. Professor Wayne said unhurriedly: "So, if we look at this painting without the notion that the Dulwich Gallery has an identical painting, do you find that this painting has all the characteristics of Rembrandt's original work?" ”

】

With that, he asked Julia to pick up the painting and point it at the crowd, and then began to explain each part in detail.

Charlie. Wayne pointed to the figure in the portrait and said, "Rembrandt's school not only changed the rigid portrait model, but also created a new style. Under his treatment, the picture is more vivid and realistic, and the content is secular and delicate, and it is more inclined to the Baroque style, in his later portraits, the expressions are very delicate, although complex but very harmonious, Rembrandt is also an outstanding representative of this school, widely recognized and highly praised by people, you see if this painting is so. ”

"Well, that's true."

Steve. As a top collector, Cohen still has this level of connoisseurship.

Mr. and Mrs. Blake, Mr. and Mrs. Merry. Jush and Henry. The same is true of the Kravis Four, who have a very high level of appreciation for art.

"According to what you say, Professor Wayne, I have taken a closer look, and the portrait style of this painting is completely in line with Rembrandt's baroque style, and the expression is very delicate, but it is harmonious in complexity." MERRY. Zhu Xi commented on the portrait.

"Okay, since you agree with me, I'll talk about other things." Charlie. Wayne continued: "Rembrandt's use of light and space often depicts a unique rate of movement and rhythm throughout the picture, resulting in a perfect work with clear priorities and prominent characters. ”

"Huh? This painting too. ”

"It's really Rembrandt's usual style."

Everyone was appreciating and communicating.

Charlie. Wayne took the opportunity to add: "And Rembrandt's chiaroscuro is one of his unique artistic styles. Rembrandt's capture and treatment of light is quite unique, as if on an all-dark stage, and the intense lights hit the main characters, and the prominence and contrast can cause a strong visual impact on people. ”

Isn't that what you look at?

Subsequently, Charlie. Wayne used a great deal of expertise to guide the crowd to appreciate the painting in front of them, which lasted for half an hour, during which tools such as X-ray imaging equipment, infrared reflection imaging equipment, and ultraviolet imaging equipment were brought in to assist in the identification.

Finally, the identification is complete.

Steve. Cohen looked incredulous and said: "According to the results of this identification, doesn't that mean that the portrait of Jacob III in front of you is indeed genuine?" ”

Charlie. Wayne smiled and nodded, "Yes, and if you still don't believe it, I can give the most direct evidence to prove the authenticity of this painting." ”

"What evidence?" Xiao Lizi couldn't wait to ask, the authenticity of this painting has too much to do with him, if it is genuine, he will have to pay ten times the price to buy it, of course he has to ask about the situation.

Blake. Couple and Mai Rui. Zhu Xi, Henry. Kravis looked curious.

Even if Ji Cheng was sure that his painting was 100% real, he was very interested when he heard Professor Wayne say this.

"I don't know if you know the background of the painting "Portrait of Jacob III"?" Charlie. Wayne asked rhetorically.

Steve. Cohen woke up in an instant!

Mr. and Mrs. Blake also glanced at each other!

MERRY. Zhu Xi blurted out: "If I'm not mistaken, the man in the painting is named Jacob DeJean III, and he has a very good male friend named Maures Huygens, in addition to the friendship relationship, the two are not afraid of the world's eyes and make a private life, in order to commemorate their feelings for each other, they specially asked Rembrandt to customize the portrait, this is the source of this painting, right?" ”

"Yes!"

Charlie. Professor Wayne said with a smile: "The two paintings were created at the same time, whether it is the painting style, materials, and the use of ink, I believe you have all visited the painting with a photo commemoration, take it out and compare it, don't you know if the painting in front of you is the original work created by Rembrandt at the same time?" ”

Everyone thought about it, and they took out various top artwork photos stored in their mobile phones to search, and finally found "Portrait of Maures Huygens" painting comparison.

It's okay if it's not a comparison, but after a comparison, they were surprised to find that the "Portrait of Jacob III" brought by Ji Cheng was the real thing!

At this moment, everyone was dumbfounded, and they looked at Ji Cheng very unacceptably!

"If the painting is real, is the Dalic Gallery painting a fake?" Steve. Cohen said with some skepticism.

This time Charlie. Wayne shook his head, "I can only be sure that the painting in front of me is real, but I can't be sure if the one in the Dalic Gallery is fake." ”

Since the painting is real, isn't the painting at the Dalic Gallery fake?

In a sense, it is, but in reality it is not, because Charlie. Wayne had not authenticated the Dalic Gallery painting, and from an appraisal point of view, he could not determine the authenticity of the Dalic Gallery painting.

And the Dalic Gallery painting is real in the eyes of everyone in the outside world, so once the two paintings collide, people from the outside world will be more convinced that the Dalic Gallery painting is real.

Thinking of this, everyone was silent, even if they knew that the painting was real, but the outside world didn't think so, then it didn't make much sense to collect this painting by themselves, after all, the vast majority of collectors collect artworks waiting for appreciation, and now there is another identical authentic work outside, even if the painting in front of them is collected, it is impossible to appreciate, or in other words, it is impossible to sell.

However, at this moment, Ji Cheng chuckled lightly and said, "I can be sure that the painting in Dalic Gallery is fake!" ”

"Huh?"

"Are you sure?"

"Ji, this kind of thing can't be talked about."

Everyone looked at him in surprise and reminded him that things like works of art should not be judged privately before the authenticity has been verified, otherwise the other party will trouble you if the authenticity is ruined by your reputation!

Ji Cheng said calmly: "I'm pretty sure that the painting in the Dalic Gallery is a fake!" ”

Steve. Cohen wanted to persuade something, but then he seemed to think of something, and his eyes lit up; "Do you have definite evidence?"

Mr. and Mrs. Blake and Mr. and Mrs. Merry. Zhu Xi, Henry. Clavis, as well as Charlie. Wayne and the others are curious, that painting is hidden in the Dulwich Gallery, what evidence do you have that that painting is fake?

"Hmm." Ji Cheng said unhurriedly: "If you have any contact with the person in charge of the Dalic Gallery, you can call and ask, and ask them to take out a microscope to observe, and they will find a small 'S' symbol on the sleeve of the portrait painting, but the sister portrait "Portrait of Maures Huygens" created at the same time has no mark. ”

"Really?" Charlie. Wayne came interested, "Me and Xavier of the Dulwich Gallery. Bray has a good personal relationship, so I'll call him right now. ”

Steve, who was going to say something. Cohen, Mr. and Mrs. Blake, and Merry. Zhu Xi, Henry. Clavis heard Charlie. After Wayne was willing to call to confirm, he swallowed the words that came to his lips, and they also wanted to know if the result was what Ji Cheng said.

If so, today they are witnessing a miracle in the history of art!

Charlie. Wayne dialed in front of everyone.

Everyone was looking forward to it.

If you have to say that someone is not in a good mood, I'm afraid there is only Xiao Lizi, he likes to play collectibles, but he also has to be of equal value, or the price of buying collectibles is slightly higher than the market price is acceptable, but now? If it was proved that the "Portrait of Jacob III" in the Dalic Gallery was a forgery, then he would have to pay ten times the price for the painting in front of him, and he would have to lose his blood!

Charlie. Wayne was already communicating with the other side," ...... Well, the sleeve part has an 'S' sign that only a microscope can see...... Okay, you take a look...... It doesn't take more than half an hour to call me back...... Okay, trouble ...... Haha, you're not polite with me...... Okay, goodbye. ”

It didn't take long to talk Charlie. Wayne hung up the phone, and then looked at the expectant crowd, "Director Bray asked people to pick up the painting for observation, and it won't take more than half an hour to call back, so we'll have to wait a while." ”

"Okay, no hurry." Steve. Cohen bowed slightly.

MERRY. Zhu Xi, the person who questioned Ji Cheng from the beginning, actually took the initiative to show favor at this moment: "Ji, although the observation results from the Dalic Gallery have not yet come out, I want to know, how did you know about this?" ”

Leang. Blake also said: "Yes, since you said that you can only see it by observing it with a microscope, then even if you go to the gallery, you can't bring a microscope with you, have you seen it in private?" ”

Others are also interested, well, except for the little plum who is in a messy mood.

Ji Cheng saw that everyone was so interested, and he just wanted to establish a good enough relationship with this group of high-quality rich customers, so he revealed a little, and said: "I believe everyone here knows how the name of the painting "Portrait of Jacob III" came from the name "Takeaway Rembrandt", in the eighties of the last century, it suffered a fourth theft, although the painting was found in Germany three years later, and was completely returned to the Dalic Gallery, but the thief in this case was not found by the police. ”

"I've heard a little about it." Henry. Kravis said.

"According to the seller of my painting, his seller used to be a master of making top art fakes, and it is precisely because the fakes he made are so realistic that sometimes the master of counterfeits himself cannot distinguish the real from the fake, so he often leaves an 's' mark on the fakes he makes to remind himself." Ji Cheng said with a smile: "Since my painting is real, and the painting in the Dalic Gallery has not been confirmed to be fake, it is very likely that it is the handwriting of the master maker of fakes, so I said that the painting has this logo." ”

Well, this is pure nonsense, and the reason why he knows it is entirely because of the words of those international thieves in the eighties.

But Ji Cheng can't say that his words were obtained from international thieves, otherwise Dalic Gallery has enough reasons to let him return it, maybe he will only give a symbolic compensation of tens of thousands of euros, and may even ask him to donate for free, if he refuses, he will be crazy to criticize, Ji Cheng is engaged in the collectibles industry, of course, he can't let his reputation be slammed, so he naturally has to find some excuse to prevaricate in the past.

After listening to it, everyone still believed this set of statements, after all, the painting in front of them was identified as true.

Only Xiao Lizi, who didn't want to buy this painting at ten times the price, still had a trace of illusion, he felt that since Ji Cheng was hearsay, it was very likely to be a rumor, and he thought about it, as long as the Dalic Gallery could not prove the point of view that Ji Cheng just said, then he could desperately deny it and not fulfill his promise to gamble.

I waited for about ten minutes.

Charlie. Wayne's cell phone rang, and he picked it up and connected it.

Everyone looked at him nervously, because if it could be proved that the "Portrait of Jacob III" brought by Ji Cheng was the only authentic work, then it was very likely that several world famous paintings brought by Ji Cheng that had been rumored to have been lost were real.

Van Gogh's "Painter on the Way to Work"!

Michelangelo's St. Francis and St. Lawrence and the Nativity of Jesus!

Raphael's "Portrait of a Young Man" and so on, which of these works is not the top famous painting that can make a sensation in the global art world?

What does this mean?

It means that they have witnessed history!

The history of witnessing the return of top artworks is likely to accompany these top artworks to go down in history!

Steve. Cohen, the Blakes, and Merry. Jush and Henry. The Kravis, who are all world-class billionaires, have long been short of wealth, and naturally want to leave a name in history, and now that they have the opportunity to leave their name in the art industry, how can they not be tempted by such a great opportunity?

Of course, there are also people who don't want to leave such a reputation, such as Xiao Lizi, because if this matter gets out, he is very likely to become a negative teaching material, a negative teaching material that has to say that the real work is a fake and attracts people's laughter.

Fake, it has to be fake.

Xiao Lizi prayed frantically in her heart.

Sadly, God did not hear his pious heart.

Charlie. Wayne hung up the phone after a brief exchange with the other party, then looked at Ji Cheng with a surprised expression, "Mr. Ji, Dalic Gallery confirmed what you just said!" ”