Beltracchi: The Art of Forgery

Name: Beltracchi: The Art of Forgery
Genre: Biography, Crime, Documentary
Released: August 19, 2015
Duration: 93 min
Rating: 73

2015

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Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Critic Reviews

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Movie Details & Credits

Kimstim Films | Release Date: August 19, 2015 | Not Rated

Summary: For nearly 40 years, Wolfgang Beltracchi fooled the international art world and was responsible for the biggest art forgery scandal of the postwar era. An expert in art history, theory and painting techniques, he tracked down the gaps in the oeuvres of great artists – Max Ernst, Fernand Léger, Heinrich Campendonk, André Derain and MaxFor nearly 40 years, Wolfgang Beltracchi fooled the international art world and was responsible for the biggest art forgery scandal of the postwar era. An expert in art history, theory and painting techniques, he tracked down the gaps in the oeuvres of great artists – Max Ernst, Fernand Léger, Heinrich Campendonk, André Derain and Max Pechstein, above all – and filled them with his own works. He and his wife Helene would then introduce them to the art world as originals. What makes these forgeries truly one-of-a-kind is that they are never mere copies of once-existing paintings, but products of Beltracchi’s imagination, works “in the style of” famous early 20th-century artists. With his forgeries, he fooled renowned experts, curators and art dealers. [KimStim Films]… Expand

Director: Arne Birkenstock

Genre(s): Biography, Crime, Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 93 min

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Critic Reviews

Robert Abele

Aug 20, 2015

The details are mesmerizing as is the rule-breaking psychology behind it. Read full review

Amy Brady

Aug 18, 2015

Beltracchi: The Art of Forgery makes us question not only art, but the experts who claim to understand it best. Read full review

John DeFore

Aug 20, 2015

A highly enjoyable look at a career spent duping the art world. Read full review

Wes Greene

Aug 17, 2015

Rarely do the interviewees express their own thoughts on Beltracchi, as Birkenstock lets him speak for himself, for better and for worse. Read full review

Farran Smith Nehme

Aug 20, 2015

This engaging, funny documentary catches up with Beltracchi as he and his wife are serving time in an “open” prison in Europe. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Susan Wloszczyna

Aug 20, 2015

There is one highly genuine scene that feels as if it could be an outtake from “The Grand Budapest Hotel“ that nicely underlines Birkenstock’s theme of the ephemeral nature of art when it comes authenticity and originality. Read full review

Ben Kenigsberg

Aug 19, 2015

Beltracchi: The Art of Forgery is a case in which a great documentary topic hasn’t yielded a great documentary. Read full review

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