Art Fraud 50 Fakes That Fooled the Art World

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 Forgery

The 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 Driessen

An Inside Job: Xiao Yuan

A 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 Qian

Conclusion

Susie Hodge is a UK-based author who has written over 100 books for adults and children. An experienced teacher and lecturer, Susie also holds an MA in Art History from Birkbeck, University of London and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.