Art Market Monitor

Global Coverage ~ Unique Analysis

  • AMMpro
  • AMM Fantasy Collecting Game
  • Podcast
  • Contact Us

Beltracchi Stirs the Pot

March 6, 2012 by Marion Maneker

Like a scene from a bad thriller, Germany’s Spiegel says that Wolfgang Beltracchi is dropping coy hints about the extent of his activities as an art forger:

 But in a SPIEGEL interview the 61-year-old has now admitted to creating phoney works by “about 50” different artists. Speaking to the media for the first time since he was sentenced, Beltracchi refused to name the exact number of paintings he forged throughout his career, which he began in the 1970s by creating “unpainted works by old masters, and later Jugendstil and Expressionists” and selling them at flea markets. But during the interview with SPIEGEL, Beltracchi said that due to high demand, he could have easily put “1,000 or 2,000” forgeries on the art market.

Ringleader Reveals He Faked Many More Works (Spiegel)

More from Art Market Monitor

  • Who Paid the Record Price for Print? A Print Dealer, Of CourseWho Paid the Record Price for Print? A Print Dealer, Of Course
  • German Newspaper Publishes Restitution BombshellGerman Newspaper Publishes Restitution Bombshell
  • S.H. Raza Wants to Go HomeS.H. Raza Wants to Go Home
  • LA to Pittsburgh Non-StopLA to Pittsburgh Non-Stop
  • Vija Celmins Is Now Represented by Matthew MarksVija Celmins Is Now Represented by Matthew Marks
  • Quit Grumbling About Old Masters & Follow the Massive Interest Museums GenerateQuit Grumbling About Old Masters & Follow the Massive Interest Museums Generate

Filed Under: Fraud, Theft & Restitution

About Marion Maneker

LiveArt

Want to get Art Market Monitor‘s posts sent to you in our email? Sign up below by clicking on the Subscribe button.

  • About Us/ Contact
  • Podcast
  • AMMpro
  • Newsletter
  • FAQ

twitterfacebooksoundcloud
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
California Privacy Rights
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Advertise on Art Market Monitor