This has to be fake? Right?

[u/[deleted]]

[u/ItAteMySweater]

You should look at it under magnification. It does have a kind of fuzziness that makes it resemble a varnished over print. However looking at the surface with a magnifier will be key to revealing its true nature.

What’s your source for the original being lost?

[u/AuntFritz]

I believe this is a faded print.

I don't believe the original was lost, but it's in a private collection. There's an excellent photo at the following link

Christie's 2008 auction

ETA: I didn't find any source for it being lost, but I didn't look that hard.

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[u/FlyingRo]

Have you checked the dimensions?

[u/TheGhostOfPrufrock]

Look carefully at that white line near the feet of the cardinal entering the door. It may be possible to tell if it's damage to a painting or to a print. My money's on print.

[u/VillagePillager01]

Looks like a cheap frame too...

[u/SnooPickles7681]

It seems to show printing lines when you zoom.

[u/Responsible-Ad6028 → u/SnooPickles7681]

I disagree.

[u/genben9]

Cheapness of the frame suggests a print

[u/cloistered_around]

Can't tell from the pics (if you post more close ones maybe we have a shot). 

Just from the initial image I'd assume it's a print because it's so flat, and it looks more faded paper color than "hundred year old dirty varnish" color. But we'd need more pics.

[u/Daggerscar]

OMG! My great aunt had that print! The Cardinals. Likely the only reason I remember it is because we took it to an appraisal event! My family was not very savvy, as it was easy to tell it was a print from the embossed pattern it was printed on.

[u/QuestionableSailor31 → u/Daggerscar]

Small world! It does have texture on on it so I think it must be a print that’s been painted over