Episode 35: The Anti-Fascist Italian Art Forger that fooled America

In September 1926, art expert Paul Arndt was shown a newly-unearthed Ancient Greek statue by an Italian dealer. It was an extraordinary piece. Its sale for a vast sum of money to an American museum, along with other pieces unearthed, would create excitement across America.

The statues were fake.

Throughout the 1920s, American interest in ancient art and sculpture exploded. As a result, American collectors and museums became a primary source of income for art dealers from across Europe. Inevitably, this also drew the attention of the darker side of the art world - including forgers.

Today, we are going to talk about one of the most extraordinary acts of art fraud perpetrated during this era. One that would trigger a vicious war of words between experts across Europe and America. It would also make a colourful, Italian anti-fascist sculptor called Alceo Dossena one of the most infamous forgers in history.

Guest

Erin L. Thompson has a PhD in ancient Mediterranean art history as well as a law degree. She is now a professor of art crime at the City University of New York.

Cats present

None.

Useful links

Erin’s website: https://www.artcrimeprof.com

Pre-order her book: https://www.amazon.com/Styrofoam-Mummy-Tales-Antiquities-Market/dp/1324035870

Erin on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/artcrimeprof.bsky.social