In 1964, journalists at a Swedish newspaper decided to test the boundaries of modern art by exhibiting Pierre Brassau's paintings, claiming they were the work of a previously unknown French artist.

Critics praised his work for its brushwork, comparing Brasseu’s work to the “delicacy of a ballet dancer.” Shortly after, they discovered they had been admiring the artistic expressions of a literal chimp. The chimp in question was Peter, a four-year old common chimpanzee from Sweden's Borås Djurpark (Borås Zoo).

This prank not only gave Pierre a brief moment of fame but also sparked a debate on the nature and perception of modern art: apparently, a primate with a paintbrush can be just as convincing as a beret-wearing artist in a Parisian loft.