"Art Fraud takes readers on a captivating journey into the hidden world of art deception and discovery, uncovering the stories behind some of the most prolific forgers and the crimes that shook the art world. Through profiles of notorious figures like Tom Keating and lesser-known but equally cunning forgers, the book explores the motives behind their deception-profit, revenge, or theft-and the ingenious methods they used to create convincing fakes. With insights into the investigations that exposed these forgeries, this book offers a fascinating look at the intersection of art, crime, and discovery.
Explore the dark and murky world of art forgery, where up to 50% of all art on the market may be fake. Art Fraud uncovers the intriguing stories of master forgers like Tom Keating, Mark Landis, and Eric Hebborn, alongside lesser-known figures who deceived the art world with their creations. From forgers who were talented artists themselves to those who fooled Nazi leaders or operated as a husband-and-wife team amassing millions, this book delves into the motivations behind these crimes-profit, revenge, or covering up thefts-and the meticulous investigations that exposed them.
Provisional table of contents:Introduction Forgery or Copy: The History of ForgeryThe Unwilling Forger: Alceo Dossena (1878-1937)A National Hero: Han van Meegeren (1889-1947)Genuine Fakes: John Myatt (1945-)Crusade Against the Art World: Tom Keating (1917-1984)The Forger of the Century: Wolfgang Beltracchi (1951-)The Faker's Handbook: Eric Hebborn (1934-1996)""The Art World is Rotten"": Robert DriessenAn Inside Job: Xiao YuanA legal forgery: Mark Landis (1955-)Shaun Greenhalgh (1961-)The Final Word in German Art: Lothar Malskat (1913-1988)The Perfect Foger: Tony Tetro (1950-)F for Fake: Elmyr de Hory (1906-1911)From Garage to Gallery: Pei-shen QianConclusion"
