Peter Doig Wins Bizarre Attribution Case in Chicago

A federal judge in Chicago has ruled that Scottish painter Peter Doig did not paint a landscape attributed to him, ending a bizarre legal battle. The painting, owned by Chicago gallerist Robert Barlow and former prison guard Robert Fletcher, was signed "Pete Doige" and dated 1976, when Doig was 17. The plaintiffs sought to prove Doig painted it while incarcerated for drug offenses, hoping to sell it for $6 million. However, testimony from Doig's mother, school yearbooks, and other evidence confirmed Doig was never in prison and had only produced drawings at that age. The actual painter was identified as Peter Edward Doige, a deceased carpenter and hobbyist. Judge Gary Feinerman stated clearly that Doig did not paint the work. Doig, who followed the trial via teleconference, said the verdict confirmed what he had stated four years prior and that no living artist should have to defend their authorship in such a manner.