art forgery

[Virgil]

how would one go about training to be a person who detects forgeries in works of art?


thanks

Virgil

[Mr Manifesto]

Originally posted by Virgil
how would one go about training to be a person who detects forgeries in works of art?


thanks

Virgil

I would start by doing an art appreciation course, and asking the person who runs it where to go from there. Usually the people who run these courses know which way to go. It would be a darned interesting job, as well. I've been sucked in by art forgeries (didn't buy them, fortunately- there's at least one advantage to being penniless!), and it's amazing how realistic some of them are. They seem to be done by people who are in jail. Where they get the resources is anyone's guess.

Or maybe it's simply a case of, if you don't know what to look for, you're easily duped.

[Virgil]

Thanks, I'm waiting on some replies from the art faculty here. I was wondering if one had to be art historian type or if one could be a science type. I know they'd work hand in hand but it might be a cool gig at a musem or such doing the science.

thanks


Virgil

[kittynh]

start by reading Thomas Hovings book about art fakes. He's one of the best art detectives out there!

"False Impressions"


his advice (given to me in person) was look look look look.

Even better would be look and feel and visit as much art by the artists in question as possible, remembering that much of what you see will be a fake. Sure there is a lot of science involved. But the really great art detective has a "gut feeling" based on experience. Know who the experts are so you can touch base with them, remembering that the experts are often wanting to be fooled! Don't expect anyone to love you either. No museum wants to be told they spent several million on a fake.

Get a job in the art world, hopefully a museum where you can learn first hand from one of the few experts out there. The experts I know are all self taught. The best ones are self taught that is. I know I learned so much when I touch art. How does it feel, what does it smell like, does it make sense? Your first impression is usually going to be correct. Also, the history of an object is of utmost importance. The shroud of turin can be traced back until the time it first showed up! Before then, nothing. No museum is going to buy something without knowing the entire history of the object.

Also, "King of the Confessors" by Thomas Hoving, good.

Not a good read, any book by those who created fakes. They have large egos, lie, and think their work is equal to the masters.

The Victoria and Albert Museum has a whole display on fakes they found in their collection. If you get them in the right mood, they will gladly give you a tour, and even let you touch the objects (plus any musuem has a whole storeroom of fakes, they usually will be glad to let you see them if you promise to keep your mouth SHUT, and let them know you are doing it to educate yourself).

Good Luck!