Art Forgery
Definition: Forgery in art refers to the deliberate creation or alteration of an artwork with the intent to mislead others into believing it is by a different, often more valuable artist. This may involve copying another artist’s style, forging a signature, faking provenance, or using deceptive materials and techniques.
Art forgeries have plagued the market for centuries and continue to surface in private sales, auctions, and even institutional collections. Famous forgers like Wolfgang Beltracchi and Han van Meegeren have exposed vulnerabilities in authentication processes and art market due diligence.
Detecting forgery involves expert analysis, provenance research, forensic testing, and sometimes confession. The legal and financial consequences can be severe, including lawsuits, reputational damage, and market distortion.
