Masterpieces by such great artists as Vincent Van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci, Manet, Monet, Vermeer and Rembrandt will be on show at a forthcoming exhibition at Carisbrooke Priory.
If original, the collection would be worth many hundreds of millions of pounds, but, despite appearing so genuine, they are ‘original copies’ by an Island artist.
Donella Francesca specialises in producing reproductions in oil of great works of art, and finds her copies increasingly popular:
“I think it is because people love classic paintings but would rather have an actual painting than a print. It makes it somehow more ‘real’ and enjoyable.”
Donella’s unique copies have been exhibited and sold in America and all over Europe, but, as she points out, they are tributes rather than forgeries:
“I have been asked by customers to put the original artists’ signature on the paintings,’ she says, ‘but I insist I add only mine just in case someone tries to pass them off as originals!”
The ‘The Art of Impressions’ exhibition takes place at Carisbrooke Priory, Whitcombe Road, Newport from tomorrow (Tuesday) to 6th December (Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays).
Parking and admission is free.
