Con/Artist: The Life and Crimes of the World's Greatest Art Forger

The worlds most renowned art forger, Tony Tetro, exposes the secrets behind his decades of painting like the Masters, revealing an art world that is far more corrupt than we ever knew. Tetro's "Rembrandts," "Caravaggios," and hundreds of other works now hang on walls around the globe, but he was busted in 1989 and spent four years in court and one in prison. He is a former furniture store clerk who can walk around in Caravaggios shoes, become Picasso or Monet, and hide it all in a grubby California townhouse with a secret art room built into the bathroom.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 22 November 2022
Publisher: Hachette Books

The art world is a much dirtier, nastier business than you might expect. Tony Tetro, one of the most renowned art forgers in history, will make you question every masterpiece you've ever seen in a museum, gallery, or private collection. Tetro's "Rembrandts," "Caravaggios," "Miros," and hundreds of other works now hang on walls around the globe. In 2019, it was revealed that Prince Charles received into his collection a Picasso, Dali, Monet, and Chagall, insuring them for over 200 million pounds, only to later discover that they're actually "Tetros." And the kicker? In Tony's words: "Even if some tycoon finds out his Rembrandt is a fake, what's he going to do, turn it in? Now his Rembrandt just became motel art. Better to keep quiet and pass it on to the next guy. It's the way things work for guys like me." That scandal is the subject of a forthcoming feature documentary with Academy Award nominee Kief Davidson and co-author Giampiero Ambrosi, in cooperation with Tetro.

Throughout Tetro's career of over forty-five years, his inimitable talent has been coupled with a reckless penchant for drugs, fast cars, and sleeping with other con artists. He was busted in 1989 and spent four years in court and one in prison. His voice—rough, wry, deeply authentic—is nothing like the high society he swanned around in, driving his Lamborghini or Ferrari, hobnobbing with aristocrats by day, and diving into orgies when the lights went out. He's a former furniture store clerk who can walk around in Caravaggio's shoes, become Picasso or Monet, with an encyclopedic unders.

Tetro's story is a cautionary tale of the dangers of fame and fortune, and the lengths people will go to achieve them. It's also a fascinating look at the art world and the people who inhabit it. Tetro's works are so convincing that they've fooled some of the most expert art collectors and dealers in the world. But his success has come at a cost. He's been ostracized by the art community and has struggled to find work. He's also been in and out of prison, and has struggled with drug addiction.

Despite all of this, Tetro remains a fascinating character. He's a master of his craft, and his works are so convincing that they've fooled some of the most expert art collectors and dealers in the world. He's also a man who has lived a wild and chaotic life, and who has never been afraid to take risks. His story is a reminder that the art world is not always what it seems, and that there are many secrets and scandals that lie behind the scenes.

Weight: 488g
Dimension: 161 x 235 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780306826481