In the Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt collection there are currently two paintings by the artist John William Godward (1861-1922), whose oeuvre was comprehensively documented only in Vern Grosvenor Swanson’s 2018 catalogue raisonné. Whereas the painting “Yes or No” (1893) has always been recognized as by Godward and possesses a seamless, unsuspicious provenance, that of “Unexpected Arrival” remains uncertain to this day. The painting shows a young lady in classical dress on a terrace overlooking the sea. On the right a young man is ascending a flight of stairs. In the background may still be seen part of a ship that has brought him hither. In 1965 the work was acquired by the HLMD as a work by Fredrick Lord Leighton (1830-1896). A conspicuous signature formerly adorned the pedestal on the picture’s right-hand edge.
Yet over the years, doubts arose as to Leighton’s authorship. Among other things, it was well known that starting in the 1860s Leighton ceased altogether to sign his works. In addition, the signature, that has now been removed, bore little resemblance to Leighton’s own. In Swanson’s catalogue raisonné a second version of “Unexpected Arrival” is depicted, in which however the young man is missing. Recent research has revealed that this version was present in the Dusseldorf art market in 1995. Here it is correctly attributed to Godward but does not bear the false signature. We may thus assume that Leighton’s signature was forged on the Darmstadt painting with the intention of realizing a higher price. But when did the forgery take place? Since when did the painting circulate as a Leighton, thus veiling of its provenance? Both Godward works were acquired from the London art dealer Walter Mela in 1965. It cannot currently be determined whether business records still exist that might shine a light on the provenance of “Unexpected Arrival”.
Udo Felbinger
