Fake Masterpieces Seized in Italian Art Forgery Workshop Raid

Founded in 1969— predating UNESCO’s 1970 Convention, formed to combat the illegal trade of cultural items— this specialized task force oversees all cultural arts-related crimes. Working extensively in the sectors of archaeology, antique dealing, fakes, and contemporary art, this raid was not Carabinieri’s first, nor will it be their last. 

After arriving on scene, police discovered more than just a few counterfeit pieces. Instead, a forgery operation lay at their fingertips, as an entire room of the home was reserved specifically for this fraudulent workshop. 

71 paintings were found, including replications of works by Picasso, Rembrandt, Paul-Émile Pissarro, Jean Cocteau, Dora Maar, and other famous artists, all in various stages of completion. Some even resided half-finished on the forger’s desk, already slyly marked with an imposter signature. 

Aside from the paintings, authorities also confiscated hundreds of brushes, tubes of paint, easels, pre-made forged signatures and gallery stamps, a typewriter, and even various electronic devices used to produce fabricated certificates of authentication. 

The Carabinieri team has inferred that one of the methods likely used to copy the artworks was by way of collaging over auction catalogues and press releases. 

This raid, though not explicitly related, comes shortly after special forces cracked down on a forgery network spanning across Europe. More than 2,100 falsified artworks—the likes of Andy Warhol, Francis Bacon, and Banksy— were apprehended in Italy, France, Spain, and Belgium. Police shared with Euronews that “the network could have done €200 million in economic damage by flooding the art market with fake works.”

However, while the forgery technology may be improving, so are the means of investigation. Pigment analysis, X-ray, and even UV scans are now accessible tools to detect fraudulent work.

As for this most recent forger, their name has yet to be released to the public, and no arrests have been made. Still, police have shared that the suspect was known for being a “local art restorer.” Unfortunately for all involved, their skills in restoration were used for more than just art historical rejuvenation.