Two Unknown Paintings Send Art Detectives On Fascinating Journey | Fake Or Fortune? | Perspective 

Those paintings by Emma Jones are INCREDIBLE. It's insane how unknown she is. What a tragedy her early death is. That portrait of her husbands just excites me so much! It's like a photograph, a tiny moment captured with so much life. He looks like a really fun person. I want a movie about her.

Honestly I don't see why the painting of the children holding a book would only be 60,00 pounds. I had it in my head at least a million. The fact that she was a teenage artist, a prodigy and painting like that with her paintings displayed at the Royal Academy, I think the value should be much much higher than he gave. She was a rarity.

The painting of Dido and Eliz is just so beautiful. It is lovely that one of the earliest British examples of black people in portraits as non subservient subjects. I hope the sisters had a loving life together.

One of the best Fake Or Fortune episodes. I almost wish they split the two paintings it into two full episodes.

Both paintings are stunningly beautiful, and I love that the relative of Dido Belle restored her name to its proper place on the name tag of the painting. The painting of Dido Belle and Elizabeth I especially love, perhaps because of having watched the movie, Belle and knowing more of the story. The painting of the two children by Emma Jones I hope will grow in value, it's certainly worth more in my mind.

Both paintings and their histories move me. As an African American woman, I am always interested and proud to learn of the “Hidden Histories,” of those of African descent. Both paintings are evidence of the regard the Artists had for their Black subjects. They were indeed powerful and beautiful statements against the dehumanizing of Blacks in art and the slave trade. I applaud the both.👏🏾👏🏾 Thank you for this excellent episode and sleuth work!👍🏾

I've loved the painting of Dido Belle since I first learned of it's existence. She looks like someone I'd want to be friends with. Something about the pose, I feel it captures who she was. The other photo of the little ladies is absolutely captivating. Emma was an incredible artist. It's so sad that she passed away so young.

Correction, Dido was not "forgotten" she was erased. Thanks for this documentary, it is fascinating

This beautiful painting of the children by Emma Jones deserves to be in someplace like the Smithsonian or Victoria and Albert museum..great show😊

I loved the story of Dido Belle. Simply captivating. I am officially intrigued by Emma Jones. The fact that she died in child birth…..so sad. It’s crazy how dangerous child birth was then and how often women passed away as a result. What a loss.

Emma you go girl! You live on despite leaving the earth so soon. So thankful her step dad and husband supported her. She gave us such love with her two heavenly ladies. Thank you to the diverse group of professionals that brought this to us so wonderful to see the diversity.

As a mixed race person, she is NOT just “black” but indeed mixed. Mixed children represent both their parents contrary to the “one drop rule”.

Something about these stories teared me up. As an African American it really touched me. Great video well done.

More detail and fact about Dido Elizabeth Belle : (The movie "Belle" sadly was quite the opposite of Real Dido's life) although loved, Dido's real life was actually really different from the movie, especially compared to her actual Aristocratic cousin Lady Elizabeth. 1. Dido's last name is Belle not Lindsay, her father Sir John Lindsay didn't acknowledge her or give her his last name. Instead she used her mom's last name Belle, her mom Maria Belle was actually alive and was given property by John Lindsay, some said she lived in a well to do area in Pensacola, Florida and live into her 50s. Maria was 14 yo child slve when she got pregnant by Sir John, she was the one who baptised Dido in Bloomsbury church record. 2. her naval officer father, Sir John Lindsay didn't left Dido a single penny upon his death (he bequeathed £1000 to be divided among 2 of his other illegitimate children), her great uncle Lord Mansfield only gave Dido £500 and £100 annuity, a fraction compared to what her cousin Lady Elizabeth who was given in total £40,000. 3. Dido's father had 5 other illegitimate children from 5 different women and none by his lawful wife. 4. Dido eventually married a French servant called John daviniere at the age of 32 after lord Mansfield had died. 5. Lady Elizabeth actually married 8 years before Dido. at 25yo she left Kenwood and married George Finch-Hatton, an heir to Earl of Winchilsea and Earl of Nottingham, nephew to Lady Mansfield. George had an income of £20,000 pound a year and 2 huge mansions. 6. Dido actually worked in the poultry yard and dairy, as noted by the American visitor, Dido also did minor errands for her great uncle and was noted being called upon this and that. some expert said this would made her wearing fancy dresses quite impractical since it would get dirty and ruined. Although dido attended many duties suitable for women of the gentry, Lady Elizabeth did not do any of those duties at all. Lady Eliz was given an allowance of £100 a year, while Dido received about £20 a year, which might further limited Dido's choice of clothing compared to her rich cousin's clothing. Dido was also given a room and desk, some expensive medicine. (although Eliz was given the best room in between lord and Lady Mansfield, Dido's room was on the servant floor) 7. In the movie Dido was shown playing piano better than Elizabeth, but in real life Lady Eliz was actually renowned in the family as almost an expert pianist and she liked to composed her own tune, this was noted by her stepmom's cousin, Mary Hamilton when she visited Kenwood House and later in her old age by Jane Austen. 8. Dido would have never met Real John Daviniere like in the movie, because Real John Daviniere was merely a servant and a valet not remotely a lawyer, he wouldn't even cross path with Dido as he didn't even work at Kenwood House, so it was unclear how they met. The movie elevated John daviniere into an aspiring abolitionist lawyer. 9. Lady Elizabeth's father (7th Viscount Stormont) is to inherit everything, their parents loved each other deeply, it was the love story of the time, then her mother died young, her father was so heart broken he kept his wife's heart in a gold vase and take that vase everywhere for 10 years until he remarried (there is a monument for her at Scone Palace, where he also wanted his heart to be buried too). Her father was also an Ambassador so he can't provide Elizabeth with stable upbringing so he arranged for his uncle Lord Mansfield and his 2 unmarried sister to take care of Lady Elizabeth at Kenwood House, the house which he will inherit after Lord Mansfield's death. 10. Lady Elizabeth's father would regularly visit Lady Elizabeth and his 2 unmarried sister at Kenwood House. Lady Eliz would also regularly visit her father and her stepmom in their home, they were quite close, Lady Eliz would name her daughter after her stepmom. 11. In 1784, Lady Elizabeth went to a Royal Ball with her stepmom Lady Stormont and father when she was about 24yo, Her stepmom Lady Stormont was personally invited by the prince regent, Dido sadly wasn't invited. 12. Dido position in the household was awkward to say the least, being illegitimate and daughter of enslaved woman definitely hurt her position and inheritance, as she wasn't allowed to dine with guest said the American visitor account in 1779, recently more fact found in Mary Hamilton's diary when she visited Kenwood later in 1784, she was never mentioned Dido despite hamilton mentioning everyone even the parish priest, this indicates that she never saw Dido, but we know from her diary that Dido didn't join the family or Lady Elizabeth to church.This was weird as in Mary Hamilton has become the cousin of the Mansfields, Lady Mansfield's lifelong friends also didn't mention Dido but they mentioned ELizabeth. (Dido was further excluded by Royal balls and parties that Elizabeth attended) 13. Lord Mansfield actually didn't admit to the American Visitor in 1779 that Dido was his great niece, there was complication that the American Visitor thought Dido was his mistress, Lord Mansfield also didn't refer to Dido as his nieces in his 1793 will written by himself unlike how he referred to Lady Elizabeth as his dear niece. ( although some gossip or news of the day did report that the mulatto (Dido) was the natural daughter of Sir John Lindsay, but evidently Lord Mansfield himself didn't really acknowledge Dido publicly to American visitor or in his will). 14. Although Dido and Elizabeth were close during their time at Kenwood, It appeared that Dido and Lady Elizabeth eventually lost contact after Eliz got married, both headed in different directions, Lady Elizabeth to her aristocratic life and Dido to her own married life. Dido and John eventually moved to Ranelaegh street in Pimlico in a newly built house costing £200, Pimlico at that time was on the outskirt of London, her neighbour and friend Martha was a dairy maid from Kenwood, Martha was also the witness to Dido and John's marriage. 15. After Dido died at the age of 43, John Daviniere remarried to a white woman named Jane Holland and have 2 more children by his second wife. 16. Dido's last descendant died out in 1975, while Lady Elizabeth's descendants are still the present day Earl of Winchilsea and Earl of Nottingham, her descendants included the famed Denys George Finch-Hatton (his story was made into a movie named "Out of Africa" starring Meryl Streep), English actress Anna Chancellor (from her grandson Murray Finch-Hatton, 12th Earl of Winchilsea)

I am in love with the painting of the little girls. The younger one is looking right at the viewer and it's so powerful. Absolutely stunning painting Miss Jones. I bet there are innumerable uncredited women artists, and it's so sad. Glad we found out who painted that one. Too bad we don't know the girls' names.

Emma Jones’ picture is so beautiful and if historical importance, it needs to be in a museum and shared with the public eye.

Emma and Dido both have quite remarkable histories. It is sad that Dido history was erased but hopefully through this airing it can be restored. Art is like music to me. It is beautiful, transformative, and transcends time.

The power of the female voice in bringing the curtain down on unbelievable human suffering.

The girls by Emma Jones are remarkable. It reminds me of me. The palm trees reminds me of my Bahamian heritage. I am so moved by the efforts of those who contributed to the abolition of the most gruesome and painful era of my dear ancestors' enslavement

I love this show. This by far the most fascinating. Starting out with two radical and exquisite paintings, artists unknown. The discovery of Emma Jones, child prodigy, extraordinary artist was thrilling to learn. She was more than an artist with pigment and canvas though. Her empathy for her subjects on the fringes of society in that period is proof of that. To me, it seems she is also saying, "Look at this woman who cooked your delicious meals with ingredients she could never hope to afford. Think about her and all the others like her who kept your privileged lives running smoothly. Never forget them." As for the painting of the two girls...it takes her empathy and compassion to another level, and adds passion, danger, and a touch of anger. The abolitionist movement had to have begun with anger. For the lack of humanity, the lack of recognition that Black slaves were human beings, with husbands, wives, and children; with their own dreams and aspirations; their talents, their need for expression. To think of the final two being so courageously found and nurtured under such unspeakable conditions, is deeply humbling. I understand the need for the religious aspect of the painting. Beyond the presence of the Bible and heavenward gaze is the direct statement, These too are children of God. I saw sadness in the eyes of the older girl. Did anyone else see that? The little one, though, was having nothing to do with sadness. Her bold, direct look says she has no compunctions about looking a white woman straight in the eyes. It also shows curiosity and fascination. I like to believe she is thinking that maybe she might become a painter some day and wondering how one goes about it. Those eyes! The loss of Emma Jones is a tragedy. 29, with decades ahead of her to shower the world with her gifts. What a loss. To die in childbirth is a ghastly, horrible, excruciating way to die both physically and emotionally. To know you won't survive to know the child you have birthed, if indeed that child survived, has to be as excruciating as the physical pain. What I love most about Dido and Lady Finch-Hatton is the pride their uncle took in their friendship and beauty, Black and White. When you think of the pains thousands (at least) of families went to in order to hide the shameful fact that, Heavens!, the family had been sullied with Black blood, there he is celebrating it. There is a question often asked of celebrities: If you could have dinner with anyone living or dead, who would it be? My choice would be that uncle. A stand alone, stand up kind of guy. Definitely my type.

What a great episode! I found the figure of Emma Jones to be an iconic trailblazer for her time. What an amazing woman, and how sad that her life ended too soon!

And interviewing the film director of ‘Belle’ was fantastic

I could see “E Jones 1831 quite clearly before the infrared light was applied. These are beautiful paintings. First time watching this channel and I’m finding it quite interesting. 👍🏽👍🏽

All I can say is I am in awe with both paintings! So utterly beautiful. ❤. 👵🏻👩‍🌾❣️

These works are both so incredibly beautiful. They are so full emotion, one full of amusement and mirth; the other deeply moving and poignant. Dido has an expression of mischievousness and fun. It makes me wish I could take her aside and find out what hilarious little secret she's about to reveal. The two black children in the second painting are the exact opposite of the first. The little girl on the right has such an enigmatic little twist to her mouth. The longer I look at it, the more it seems to alternate between friendly openness and resigned judgment. IMHO, it is a true "Mona Lisa smile". I mean, is it a smile or is it something else? I really wish it was possible to purchase prints of both of these works. They are both something I could come back to time after time and still see something fresh. I read over this comment just now and quickly realized how much I miss my art history classes. I guess joy art gives me comes out in one way or another, when I'm not really expecting it. I just wanted to comment on the beauty of these paintings and then suddenly I'm writing a mini compare/contrast analysis. 😅

Another here with the feeling that this is the episode I have enjoyed the most in a series I absolutely love.

The cousins have a very clear similarity in their eyes, noses, mouths, and face shape...

It would be lovely to see these in a museum where many could have access to see them up close. I know I would love to sit with them a while. ❤

@42:59 Since mention of the Friends Meeting House opens the possibility of Emma Jones being a member of the Socety of Friends, i.e. a Quaker, there could be more information about her in the Monthly Minutes of that Meeting that could help identify the children in the painting.

The painting is obviously of two sisters, their emotions are very frank and transparent. The older girl is looking heavenward to say "Thank God." and the younger child, hand on heart, seems to say:"Thank you" to the viewer. I think that we can assume that the people she is thanking, with her direct stare and large eyes, is the Abolitionist Ladies. Well done Emma Jones!

I saw the movie version of Dido Bell's story and immediately recognized the painting and the story behind it. I was sadden when I saw the plaque did not mention her. How, I pleased to see that Lady Mansfield had a new one made to feature Dido..

The most enjoyable voyage of discovery in all of the ‘Fake or Fortune/Perspective’ series I have viewed to date.. and handled with such awareness of importance. 👍👍

The dido painting is SO mesmerizing! cute how Dido seems so playful and cheeky :) .

The young Queens of African Decent in the Emma Jones portrait, whose gazes were described as content and "a challenge", seem to reveal tears in their eyes to me.

The two children one is riveting! Those eyes!!

What a tragedy the suffering my people have endured at the hands of pure demons, and still WE rise.

So fascinating. I love the painting of the two sisters. they look so much alike. I also love the ending with the Dido Belle honor at the end.

Wonderful episode. Emma’s story, the ladies association, the art capturing our hair and skin and ultimately our relevance. Love this episode! The info about the subjects and artists and how their stories intertwine is uplifting

The Scottish National Gallery certified the Dido and Elizabeth was done by David Martin.

Dido Bell was a very loved young lady is for sure.

Probably the most important episode of this series.

The elder sister had dirty nails (labour). I got the feeling of gratitude and relief from her. The younger sister gave me a feeling of uncertainty or should I say vulnerability. The hand on her chest made me think she was asking, “This security, is it real, how long?" Just my opinion. Beautiful painting.

The *awe* Dido and Eliz evokes is an inadvertent *recognition* of European/British imperialism and its malevolent ramifications. The piece is glorious.🖤

This was a very MOVING episode. Stunning.

Wow... This is so interesting, trying to trace back the history of a painting just to have an authenticity in Identifying the real painters. I'm so drown to Emma Jones paintings.... Wow, it's so unfortunate she died at a very early age, she could have been a well known artist

The painting of the two black children is on display at the Tate in Britain.

Both paintings are beautiful works of art and so very culturally important.

Little known history about the NEGRO: There’s nothing wrong with using the word “Negro”. It identifies the descendants of the enslaved individuals (predominantly native Iberian/Spanish/Portuguese Israelites/Jews of the Spanish/Portuguese inquisition) that laboriously built The United States of America. I am a negro. The family of one of my grandparents still lives in Lisbon as they were of the native “Black Portuguese” individuals that remained either due to age or their conversion from the Hebraism to Christianity. The truth is surfacing and we all deserve to know it all. Thank you for sharing this amazing journey through history via the beautiful road that is art. 🙏🏽

The sincerity and humbleness of the young ladies shine through!

Those pictures are so beautiful, particularly of the one of the two sisters. I would love to have that picture because I find it just compelling, the expressions in their eyes is just mesmerizing

Thank you for this wonderful story of talent and love.

WOW 🤩 Philip and Fiona these two paintings are now so inexplicably known .....thanks to your intelligence and thorough investigation methods.....I’m amazed by Dido as o recently watched the movie 🎥 made in Britain 🇬🇧.....it’s one of my favourite movies Many Thanks 😊 Much love as always @Historings 🎨🥰🎨🥰🎨🥰🎨🥰🎨🥰🎨

Talk about satisfying - knocking it out of the park TWICE in one episode, incredible!

The fluid in the young sisters eyes is amazing, what an absolutly beautiful painting . As i had a second good look a younger girl representing the elders younger self with a bible, and hope. ❤

What a fascinating documentary. These two paintings are absolutely lovely. Both women in Martins paintings were beautifully done. The image of Dido is wonderful, her expression and smile are priceless and what a pretty girl. She is smiling at us through the ages. Regally dressed in such finery, she looks happy. You could tell that she was well taken care of and loved by her family. There is a lot of symbolism in that painting. The other painting of the ‘Two Negro girls with a book’ blew me away. It was such a moving tender beautifully rendered work of art. The book, the clothing and the tropical trees in the background say it all. The clues were right there of the clothing and book drive but who knew? What moved me most was the facial expressions of these lovely children. They could be the children running around in my own neighborhood. Miss Jones was an amazing artist. Good work with the investigation. Thank you for this video.

I love this episode, you guys make this world brighter!

This was awesome! I don't know a thing about art, but what a great lesson! And it's amazing how many records there are in the world, buried in books, libraries, and private collections, all over the world!

I'm a portrait photographer and I love old photos. People's family photo walls are one of my favorite things. Through this episode I've fallen in love with portraits in paint. I really enjoyed this episode. How fun to follow this.

could the painter not have known them personally and just painted them like any two young girls they knew and cared for?

Both paintings are absolutely stunning!

As an art nerd this was fascinating.. I did notice that Charlies uncle purchased the painting in France.. Why didn't Fiona and Phillip put two and two together when Emma married a Frenchman?

Great episode. These special paintings are British treasures.

Are any descendants of either Dido or Elizabeth living today? Such a beautiful picture! Great show.

I love Fake or Fortune! It is fascinating to see inside the world of fine art! Thanks for taking us on this adventure!

Am I the only one who read E Jones 1831 from the start? I didn't think it was unclear at all, but I guess in person it must have been? (Either way, great episode, lovely paintings)

Emma Jones 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 what a woman!

Thank you, this was fascinating and so historical. Great episode and so important to England's history.

I just love this show. I am always gripped throughout each episode.

This is a great episode and the paintings are beautiful!

By far, this episode was the best I've seen. Thank you K

I’m so glad I watched this. I learned a bunch of things!!

Gorgeous episode. ❤❤❤

This was a fascinating episode. Certainly the most interesting one I’ve seen. In particular, the publication of the report by the Ladies’ Society in the same year, and the exact elements mentioned therein. So exciting to watch them find the artist, and then discover that not only is the painting’s subject politically radical, but the artist too was quite unusual for the time. Also fascinating was how Lady Dido Bell slowly lost her identity as her relatives died, and racism and the passage of time transformed a beloved family member into “a negro attendant”. I find it odd that Dido Bell had more recognition and respect as an owned person than as a free one, and more respect as a living person than as an historical figure. (Forgive the awkward wording, I didn’t want to leave spoilers!)

Dido & Lady Elizabeth painting beautiful .. inspired movie Belle wonderful Thank you for both inspiring works of art

Absolutely fabulous episode.

I felt teleported back into time. So glad I came across this video.

Greetings from Metro Atlanta Georgia USA. This was a beautiful episode of your wonderful program. Thank you for bringing these two amazing stories of these incredible art portraits to the online community. Bravo. 👏🏽

This video came up in my feed. Thank you RU-vid!! This was fascinating and so.interesting and relevant!! I am a big History buff but never really put into perspective the part Art plays in retelling every aspect of story telling in history. Thank you for opening my eyes. I am now a proud subscriber!! 😊

Fascinating and beautiful presentation!

This was such an awesome presentation; educational, informative and entertaining. Well done! Too often, works of art are only given a fleeting glance with little thought of the story and effort that they entail. I hope to make some amends for this on my part by giving time to shows like this.

my favorite episode so far! Fascinating story, loved Emma Jones! Surprised that the owner wasn't as ecstatic as we all are!

The children painting touched me so much I cried, reminds me of me and my little sister

Excellent art and episode. Thoroughly enjoyed the sentiment in both.

Wonderful. Thank you. 👏🏽🙌🏽✨

This was such a fascinating watch. Thank you!

Amazing. I didn't want this to end.

We've watched the movie that was based on the one with the black debutante and her cousin...Yes, they were related. It's a fantastic movie. It's called BELLE.

Thank you, thank you. This episode was your very best. So heart rending, touching, moving, and so very important. Had tears in my eyes throughout most all of it all, as I'm sure many others viewing this. I do so pray that others understand the meaning and importance of these portraits. Sadly, things seem to be turning back with racism returning. But Bless you both !!

Fantastic program. The painting are both exquisite. So glad that the artists have been identified. Well done. Thank you for this video along with the history of the times.

I just can't get over the portrait of the sisters. 💜. I just love it so much. I wish to someday see it in person

Both pictures are beautiful. Belle's story is quite interesting. The 2nd picture is utterly beautiful. I agree the young one is trying to convey something and I wish I knew what it was. It makes me smile and brings tears to my eyes.

Charlie's painting by E.Jones is stunningly beautiful the female artist was brilliant and superbly clever she knew how to capture her subjects with clarity while sparking socially conscious issues within the painting..... Absoultely unique !! 💜💜 The portrait of D.Bell and Lady Elizabeth is striking and very unusual during the time period in which it was painted. The artist painted the subjects in styles of the time revealing quite a bit about their status a real historical treasure!💜💜 Artist through out history have been known to record their art in many ways these two paintings prove the importances of docunenting and recording artifacts.....what was obsure is now in full view 👁️👁️ Thank you !

I somehow stumbled upon this channel and I love this show!

Im so intrigued by the detective work that went into identifying these 2 works!!!

I love this show. Thank you Phillip and Fiona, and all involved. I enjoy the overhead shots of the cars on their way through the UK countryside.

She is beautiful ❤

So much positive energy coming from the paintings, the artists, the sitters and who they were within the slavery imagery they've just identified. I'd proudly hang either painting on display! 💚

I am an artist. I just stumbled on this looking for something else, and I'm glad I did! This is a fascinating video! It is a beautiful amalgam of art, history, science, politics, women artists, abolishinist and women sufferagist movements. AMAZING!

Fantastic episode. Entertaining and erudite. Great television. So rare.

The 1831 portrait looks like those pious saints but modern. So modern. Fantastic paintings ❤