Museum Employee Stole Paintings and Replaced Them With Forgeries

[brianvds]

Museum Employee Stole Paintings and Replaced Them With Forgeries​

Museum Employee Stole Paintings and Replaced Them With Forgeries | Art & Object

At the Deutsches Museum in Munich, a worker stole paintings and sold the original works at auction.

www.artandobject.com

 

[Bartc]

Wow! Now that's really stupid of them, but from what I've read it's a shock how poor museum security can be.
If I've read this correctly, part of the problem may stem from the nature of the museum's emphasis on science, with the artworks being a side show due to inheritance of the works.
But one way or the other, somebody should have been alert to changes in the artwork.
If I've understood US law correctly, art object proven to be stolen and that are "found" in a purchaser's collection can be forced to be returned. Sounds as though the Europeans have something similar. In which case, someone in the art community - institutional level maybe - ought to contest return to that museum if they're so careless or clueless about its value.
BTW, from what I'm reading worldwide museums are rife with forgeries, even some of the biggest names in the museum world. Shocking!
I expect that when my paintings are eventually hanging in the Met or the D'Orsay, they will be more careful. I'll instruct my heirs to insist on it with them. LOL

 

[Bongo]

story never tells who painted the forgery. Forging an 1891 painting is a major undertaking if you want the materials to match -- no using acrylics. And auction houses want proof of provenance. - Another thing challenging to provide for an 1891 painting. Makes me think there were some winks and nods going around particularly at the auction house -- which would be a surprise to no one.