ART FORGERS GO LEGIT WITH FINE ART FAKES

ART FORGERS GO LEGIT WITH FINE ART FAKES

NEW YORK (Wireless Flash) – Some former forgers are now the toast of the art world thanks to a company that produces legally-sanctioned Renoir rip-offs and Klimt copies. The artists – whose work is featured at FineArtFakes.com – are former forgers who now sell their reproductions at cut rate prices instead of passing them off as legit. Company founder Daniel Donde says he discovered two of his artists a few years ago when they tried to sell him a fake Modigliani for full price. Instead of getting upset, he asked the two forgers to gather up some of their pals and go into business with him selling reproductions. The carbon copies – which sell for $5000 each – will make their American debut at the Mark Hotel in New York (May 17).

Fri 05-11-01