Step inside the astonishing world of art forgery, where masterpieces are faked, fortunes are made, and almost no one is who they seem. Art Fraud reveals the true stories behind some of the greatest scams in art history, where con artists forged their way to fame, fortune or infamy. 

Discover the motivations and methods of master forgers, from Eric Hebborn’s faked Old masters to Han van Meegeren’s deception of the Nazis. Meet eccentric copyists, bitter experts, and insiders who turned against the institutions they once admired. Each chapter tells the story of a different forger, weaving in the investigations that finally unmasked them and the secrets they left behind. 

Written by bestselling author and art historian Susie Hodge, this is a fascinating, brilliantly researched collection that blurs the line between genius and fraud. Whether you are an art lover, a true crime reader or simply curious about how the art world really works, this book is full of twists, scandals and unforgettable characters.

Introduction

Chapter 1 Did He or Didn’t He?

Chapter 2 The ‘Vermeer’ That Fooled the Nazis 

Chapter 3 Genuine Fakes 

Chapter 4 Crusade Against the Art World 

Chapter 5 Forger of the Century

Chapter 6 The Faker’s Handbook 

Chapter 7 The Art World is Rotten

Chapter 8 A Legal Forgery

Chapter 9 The Garden Shed Gang

Chapter 10 The Last Word in German Art

Chapter 11 The Perfect Forger

Chapter 12 F is for Fake

Chapter 13 From Garage to Gallery

Chapter 14 Revenge on the Art World

Conclusion

Acknowledgements 

About the Author 

Further Reading 

Index

Picture Credits 

"Amply illustrated and filled with eccentric detail, [Art Fraud]’s a lively and illuminating window into a shadowy corner of the art world."