Art expert fooled by chimp's painting

A German art expert was duped into believing a painting done by a chimpanzee was actually painted by a respected artist.

Dr Katja Schneider, director of the State Art Museum in Moritzburg, Saxony-Anhalt, suggested the painting was by Guggenheim Prize winning artist Ernst Wilhelm Nay.

Dr Schneider said: "It looks like an Ernst Wilhelm Nay. He was famous for using such blotches of colour."

But in reality, the painting was made by female chimpanzee Banghi, from Halle Zoo.

According to zoo workers, painting is one of the favourite pastimes of the 31-year-old ape, but her works are often destroyed by mate Satscho.

After the real artist was revealed by the Bild newspaper, Dr Schneider said: "I did think it looked a bit rushed."