This foreign born permanent A list celebrity couple like to talk the talk about how knowledgeable they are when it comes to a certain hobby of theirs, but fail to mention that seven figure forgery they bought.
Haha there are several stories about how many paintings in museums across the world are forgeries that got swapped out with the originals years if not decades ago. There was one funny story about a forger in Asia who went to swap a painting when he realized the one on display was already forgery ;)
Many museums have had forgeries hanging on their walls so it's not surprising private buyers would, even though they probably employ an expert to scrutinise the art.Experts have been fooled many times.
I recall the China story and it is pretty funny. Pretty much all of the paintings in museums there have been swapped out multiple times with forgeries. I would definitely have at least two different people assess art if spending a significant amount on it nowadays.
I think that most famous paintings, that hang on walls, are forgeries to protect them. Too many nutcases that would be happy to burn them for the notoriety.
I'm just as happy to see the copies as I am the originals.
And Art Basel (the original show in Switzerland) is going on right now...
This is a fascinating read if you're curious about art & forgeries https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/jun/15/how-to-spot-a-perfect-fake-the-worlds-top-art-forgery-detective
Brings to mind the story of The Chicago Art Institute calling fake on Donald Trump's 'Two Sisters' painting by Renoir because they own the real one. Now you have me wondering who really has the fake. Wouldn't it be interesting if the Don has the real one, will Chicago admit it and demand it back or let it slide or did Trump get taken. I wonder who Trump got it from. Cue spooky music.....Didn't an art dealer die in the Trump tower fire?
There's also a lot of cases where near exact copies are made, and sold or auctioned, and the seller keeps the original in a vault. It's extremely difficult to investigate and prove, so most of them are just accepted by the auction houses, everyone gets what they want.
Amazing documentary on Netflix about the rise and fall of one of the most successful recent cons, "Beltracchi: The Art of Forgery". https://www.netflix.com/title/80015279
From watching the show Fake or Fortune some forgeries are pretty darn good and even with the best expertise and best technology - it is a fascinating process - there can still be disagreements. Art world is very cliquey too and I think why are the Wildensteins the final authority on many catalogues. For them to admit they were wrong on a photo means their reputation plummets and it makes you wonder if they are hiding something. Or sometimes they might just be right - the evidence is inconclusive.
I got no problem with a poster reproductions. The people with more money than sense can keep art dealers and auction houses rich.
I am sure the Trump painting was a fake. The paints used by a famous painter like Renoir are easy to verify, his work is often faked and he has been studied so thoroughly \the experts know what they are looking for. Beside Trump is a fan of Fake. He wouldn't care if it was a fake. Love to see his receipt for the painiting but probably just another fake story of his. I would love the thought that the con man got conned but I think more likely the other way around.
The Beckham’s/Art Collections
ReplyDeleteHaha there are several stories about how many paintings in museums across the world are forgeries that got swapped out with the originals years if not decades ago. There was one funny story about a forger in Asia who went to swap a painting when he realized the one on display was already forgery ;)
ReplyDeleteMany museums have had forgeries hanging on their walls so it's not surprising private buyers would, even though they probably employ an expert to scrutinise the art.Experts have been fooled many times.
ReplyDeleteI recall the China story and it is pretty funny. Pretty much all of the paintings in museums there have been swapped out multiple times with forgeries. I would definitely have at least two different people assess art if spending a significant amount on it nowadays.
ReplyDeleteThe Mona Lisa at the Louvre is a fake, fyi.
ReplyDeleteI think that most famous paintings, that hang on walls, are forgeries to protect them. Too many nutcases that would be happy to burn them for the notoriety.
ReplyDeleteI'm just as happy to see the copies as I am the originals.
And Art Basel (the original show in Switzerland) is going on right now...
ReplyDeleteThis is a fascinating read if you're curious about art & forgeries
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/jun/15/how-to-spot-a-perfect-fake-the-worlds-top-art-forgery-detective
Brings to mind the story of The Chicago Art Institute calling fake on Donald Trump's 'Two Sisters' painting by Renoir because they own the real one. Now you have me wondering who really has the fake. Wouldn't it be interesting if the Don has the real one, will Chicago admit it and demand it back or let it slide or did Trump get taken. I wonder who Trump got it from. Cue spooky music.....Didn't an art dealer die in the Trump tower fire?
ReplyDeleteAnd that is why I don't buy fine art. That, and I can't afford it. :)
ReplyDeleteThere's also a lot of cases where near exact copies are made, and sold or auctioned, and the seller keeps the original in a vault. It's extremely difficult to investigate and prove, so most of them are just accepted by the auction houses, everyone gets what they want.
ReplyDeleteMore Cowbell -- I just happen to have this Pollock that I can practically give away to you. :D
ReplyDeleteFakes are everywhere. Not just the art world.
ReplyDeleteAmazing documentary on Netflix about the rise and fall of one of the most successful recent cons, "Beltracchi: The Art of Forgery".
ReplyDeletehttps://www.netflix.com/title/80015279
I have the real Mona Lisa. Will let it go for 45,000 BTC plus shipping.
ReplyDeleteIf no one bites, it goes on eBay next week...
Orson Welles’ F for Fake covers this ground beautifully also.
ReplyDelete"Po-body's Nerfect!"
ReplyDeleteFrom watching the show Fake or Fortune some forgeries are pretty darn good and even with the best expertise and best technology - it is a fascinating process - there can still be disagreements. Art world is very cliquey too and I think why are the Wildensteins the final authority on many catalogues. For them to admit they were wrong on a photo means their reputation plummets and it makes you wonder if they are hiding something. Or sometimes they might just be right - the evidence is inconclusive.
ReplyDeleteI got no problem with a poster reproductions. The people with more money than sense can keep art dealers and auction houses rich.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI am sure the Trump painting was a fake. The paints used by a famous painter like Renoir are easy to verify, his work is often faked and he has been studied so thoroughly \the experts know what they are looking for. Beside Trump is a fan of Fake. He wouldn't care if it was a fake. Love to see his receipt for the painiting but probably just another fake story of his. I would love the thought that the con man got conned but I think more likely the other way around.
ReplyDelete