When Art Isn't Real: The World's Most Controversial Objects under Investigation

The art world is a multi-billion-dollar industry that is often controversial, with high-profile objects that have experts arguing about their veracity. This book deals with seven famous cases, such as the Getty Kouros and the Turin Shroud, and examines how a few words from a connoisseur or scientist can make a virtually valueless object worth hundreds of millions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 18 March 2022
Publisher: Leuven University Press

The art world is a vast and dynamic industry that captivates global attention on a regular basis, often for both positive and negative reasons. This book delves into one of the most contentious and debated topics within the art world: the authenticity of high-profile objects that spark intense debates among experts. Some of these objects may have been stolen, others may be counterfeit, while others may have undergone extensive restoration or attribution errors. In such cases, analytical science is often employed to resolve disputes. The authors of this book possess decades of expertise in this field, having worked on a diverse range of objects spanning from prehistoric times to the twentieth century. They present seven of the most famous cases, including the Getty Kouros and the Turin Shroud, which continue to be subject to ongoing controversies. Through meticulous analysis and exploration, the authors shed light on how a mere few words from a connoisseur or scientist can transform a virtually valueless object into a worth hundreds of millions. This captivating book offers a unique perspective on the art world, challenging our perceptions of authenticity and value and providing a deeper understanding of the intricate dynamics that shape the art market.

The art world is a multi-billion-dollar industry that garners widespread media coverage for both positive and negative reasons.

This book explores one of the most contentious and debated topics within the art world: the authenticity of high-profile objects that spark intense debates among experts.

Some of these objects may have been stolen, others may be counterfeit, while others may have undergone extensive restoration or attribution errors.

In such cases, analytical science is often employed to resolve disputes.

The authors of this book possess decades of expertise in this field, having worked on a diverse range of objects spanning from prehistoric times to the twentieth century.

They present seven of the most famous cases, including the Getty Kouros and the Turin Shroud, which continue to be subject to ongoing controversies.

Through meticulous analysis and exploration, the authors shed light on how a mere few words from a connoisseur or scientist can transform a virtually valueless object into a worth hundreds of millions.

This captivating book offers a unique perspective on the art world, challenging our perceptions of authenticity and value and providing a deeper understanding of the intricate dynamics that shape the art market.

Weight: 266g
Dimension: 139 x 215 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789462703124