With the recent advent of technologies that make detecting art forgeries easier, the art world has become increasingly obsessed with verifying and ensuring artistic authenticity. In this unique history, Thierry Lenain examines the genealogy of faking and interrogates the anxious, often neurotic, reactions triggered in the modern art world by these clever frauds. Lenain begins his history in the Middle Ages, when the issue of false relics and miracles often arose. But during this time, if a relic gave rise to a cult, it would be considered as genuine even if it obviously had been forged. In the Renaissance, forgery was initially hailed as a true artistic feat. Even Michelangelo, the most revered artist of the time, copied drawings by other masters, many of which were lent to him by unsuspecting collectors. Michelangelo would keep the originals himself and return the copies in their place. As Lenain shows, authenticity, as we think of it, is a purely modern concept. And the recent innovations in scientific attribution, archaeology, graphology, medical science, and criminology have all contributed to making forgery more detectable—and thus more compelling and essential to detect. He also analyzes the work of master forgers like Eric Hebborn, Thomas Keating, and Han van Meegeren in order to describe how pieces baffled the art world. Ultimately, Lenain argues that the science of accurately deciphering an individual artist’s unique characteristics has reached a level of forensic sophistication matched only by the forger’s skill and the art world’s paranoia.

"[P]rovides a treasure trove of information that will engage readers intrigued by but new to the subject of art forgery as well as those with an art or art history background." Booklist, Starred Review Forgery is a provocative presence in the art world that captures attention in the press and inspires books about the exploits of famous fraudsters as well as scholarly articles and monographs. But missing until now has been a big-picture look at the phenomenon of art forgery. The Many Faces of Art Forgery provides a uniquetreatment that features historical highlights, philosophical insights, psychological profiles, economic theories, and legal statutes and cases. Key features include: The story of art forgery from antiquity to the present, including 80 named forgers, the tricks of their trade, and the social forces that ensure the existence of their enterprise. How scientific analysis is both effective and limited in exposing art fakes. Multiple definitions for the term “forgery” as applied to art. The effect on authenticity in legal terms, philosophical terms, and public opinion when an artwork undergoes extensive restoration, or artists hire surrogates to make their works, or they appropriate images from otherartists or styles from indigenous cultures. Forgers’ mentalities: their motivations, rationalizations, and strategies. The ethics of art forgery: from criminality to esteem for fooling experts. The possibility and aesthetic worth of a “perfect fake.” In all, readers will understand the substantial place forgery occupies in the realm of art, as well as that what constitutes authentic versus inauthentic is not always clear-cut, nor are legal and moral judgments about forgery. In conveying this message, the author provides a wealth of information in an accessible and engaging style suitable for experts and general readers alike.

The goal of this unique manual is to arm criminal investigators with tools and weapons that are suitable and effective against art theft and forgery. The author, with over 25 years' experience in the art theft investigation field, presents comprehensive techniques, tips, and ideas to help dimish the level of frustration experienced by criminal investigators required to handle the growing number and magnitude of art crimes. The structure of the manual is simple and direct. The first part guides the reader in the use of the text and introduces the art world environment. The second part discusses the investigator's interaction with the victim, including interviewing, crime scene investigation, and identifying and developing suspects. Part three deals with offenders and covers such topics as art theft methods, forgery techniques, methods of distribution, and investigative countermeasures. The final section presents a comprehensive review of solutions and recoveries, including chapters on legal weapons, insurance and rewards, the use of experts, universal and variable contact group classifications, object bulletins, art criminal photo albums, informant development, undercover methods, unidentified victims, and recovery and seizure of stolen or fake art. In addition, the book is complemented by an extensive glossary and bibliographic resources. This exceptionally unique manual is intended to function at an intensely practical level and is intended for both study and immediate reference.

A fascinating introduction to how scientists identify fraudulent copies, from signatures to oil paintings.”...

Rafferty's Rogues presents an exciting and entirely novel approach to a range of maths topics. This gang of lovable rogues have big, bad ideas but their limited knowledge of mathematics means every bold adventure ends in failure. The dumbest art forgery ever gives the lowdown on shape, geometry, circles, squares and cubes, optical illusion, parallel lines, and lots more.