Events

OLLI breaks into their Archives to bring you one of OLLI's most popular video documentaries! Fakes, forgeries, and frauds in the art world are more common than you think! "Fakes" are everywhere, but the definition of a fake varies based on circumstances and culture. So what makes a work of art a fake? Can a "forgery" or "fraud" still have value? How many improperly authenticated pieces hang on the walls of the world's greatest galleries? And what does it mean for art to be "real" anyway? Answering these questions will require an in-depth exploration of the law of authenticity, provenance, and originality. History is replete with art scams and the wild stories accompanying them. By studying some of the most famous forgeries in art history, we will consider art's intrinsic value and importance. By considering more recent art forgery scandals, we will consider what art means to the modern world and the impact of media attention on a work of art. Immerse yourself in the entertaining and scandalous world of art fakes, forgeries, and frauds. You'll never look at a work by an Old Master or a popular cutting-edge artist the same way again! "Thoroughly enjoyable." - OLLI Patron PRE-RECORDED PRESENTATION - NO INSTRUCTOR PRESENT. This lecture is also available virtually.