In the article "Original or fake" (Nový čas, 12.02.2023) we talked about the art forgery in Slovakia:
If we look at history, art forgery has always been there. The ancient Romans already copied the Greeks, in the past even copies of paintings were commonly ordered. However, we are talking about the real problem in the market especially since the time when the works of art started reaching dizzying sums on the market. The sight of large earnings has stimulated the creation of many fakes. Therefore, in principle, the more "expensive" the author, the greater the chance that his name will end up on the list of forgers and forgeries. Such works are then put on the market at very "interesting" prices, which may seem like a huge luck and opportunity for the buyer, but the opposite is true.
Why does it matter if you have the original at home?
Among other things, also because unless its authenticity is confirmed, the value of your work, even if it may be outstanding, will be a fraction in the moment. Forgeries not only harm buyers, but undermine overall confidence in the art market. It is estimated that up to 50% of the works on the market are fake. These are global estimates, but unfortunately, fakes are also a reality on the Slovak market.
How to recognize a fake?
Sometimes you can spot a fake from a distance, other times you don't have to detect it at all. This was also the case with a fake painting by the Dutch painter Frans Hals, which even became a national treasure. Only a few years later it was discovered that it was a forgery. In principle, it should be realized that we are only talking about bad forgeries that have been revealed, the good ones are still hanging on the walls. Always pay attention to who you are buying the works from, whether it is a verified source. If the price is too low, something is almost certainly wrong. If you know the given author and his work, look at the signature - whether it corresponds to the author's signature or is it additionally added, the style of painting or the color scale used and the date of the work. These are all things that can be observed with the naked eye. Some experts can also detect a forgery on the basis of crackling or adjustment of the work - e.g. pinned canvas in the time when canvases were nailed. Furthermore, there are various expert methods - X-ray, UV luminescence or chemical-technological analysis - which are already carried out by specialized institutions, but they are charged.
You can read more in the article.
