Noted Max Ernst scholar, Werner Spies, has had his share of trouble over authenticating works. Today it was announced that Spies will be held responsible for paying half the €652,883 owed back to investor Louis Reijtenbagh for a painting “Earthquake” sold by Geneva gallerist Jacques La Béraudière as authentic based upon Spies’s authoritative opinion.

Reijtenbagh has already had his share of troubles too with the art market. A substantial collector, he got caught selling works that were being offered as collateral for multiple loans.

Art historian Werner Spies convicted poorly authenticated a painting by Max Ernst (Fr.YahooNews)