Art forgery is the practice of creating works that are falsely attributed to famous artists. Then they’re sold for more than they’re worth.
People have copied artworks for more than 2,000 years! In ancient times, people made replicas of famous art to satisfy demands of collectors.
During the Renaissance, Michelangelo discovered that someone else was given credit for his famed sculpture, Pieta. So he chiseled his signature across the center of the work.
Advances in technology in the 20th century allowed experts to detect forgeries more easily than ever before.
John Myatt, one of the most prolific art forgers, makes what he calls “genuine fakes”—reproductions of famous works. He was arrested in 1995, and served four months in prison for his crimes.
Myatt has since built a career on honestly selling his copies.