Fake Malta paintings

Recently I was surfing on the Internet and I came across a pair of paintings, being sold through London auctioneers. I noticed irregularities in these paintings, which depicted the Grand Harbour. They were catalogued as being the work of Luigi M. Galea.

I wrote to the London firm to examine them, as these could be the work of a Maltese living in London and could turn out to be fakes. I was told that the firm knew of the dubious paintings by Reno (Nazzareno) Spiteri, and they would look into the matter.

My aim was for the London firm to safeguard its good reputation, as well as to protect some Maltese who might unknowingly invest badly in these fraudulent reproductions, which have plagued both Malta and the UK for at least two decades.

However that is not the end of this story; the same pair of paintings might be offered for sale by auction in Malta. Your readers may recall that during September and December of two years ago, Malta was infested with approximately 500 watercolours signed D'Esposito, by the same hand above-mentioned, selling at an average of Lm140 each.

These fake watercolours were being sold by white-collared crooks, including two lecturers, who between them had approximately 48, as well as a place of auction.

What amazed me most was, that one of the watercolours depicted Mosta Dome. Most people will agree that the D'Espositos were maritime watercolourists; Mosta Dome is a bit further inland from Grand Harbour!

One should expect more similar fraudulent works landing on our shores during the autumn and winter, which might include fakes by E. Caruana Dingli or attributed to G. Gianni, School of Pullicino and others.

Not too long ago an auctioneer whose interview appeared in your paper said that the Auctioneers Act 1990 should be revised and updated. Personally I would prefer if the present law is applied and adhered to by all, before it is amplified and updated.