Spanish police are investigating four individuals for fraud after they allegedly attempted to sell counterfeit paintings for over €76 million ($84 million), falsely attributing them to renowned artists Velazquez and Goya.
The seized counterfeit works include four attributed to Francisco de Goya and one to Diego Velazquez. The Valencia regional government disclosed that these pieces came with extensive falsified documentation to dupe potential buyers. All the artworks were uncovered in Valencia, situated on Spain’s eastern Mediterranean coast.
While authorities have interrogated the suspects, no arrests have been made, as reported by the regional government’s justice department press office.
The counterfeit Velazquez painting, titled “Portrait of Mariana of Austria,” carried the highest asking price at €50 million. The original piece is exhibited at the Prado Museum in Madrid.
The investigation commenced earlier this year after authorities observed efforts to peddle the fake artworks in Valencia and the neighboring province of Castellon. Esteemed Spanish art experts have verified the paintings as forgeries.
Gabriela Bravo, the head of the regional government’s justice department, stressed that although art forgery can be lucrative, it ultimately undermines the work of talented artists, particularly notable figures in Spain’s history.
Two counterfeit Goya paintings, priced at over €7 million each, were identified as replicas of works by Anton Rafael Mengs, with the originals also housed in the Prado. A third counterfeit Goya, titled “Allegory of the Pillar of Zaragoza,” was deemed a low-quality piece not created by a professional painter. Lastly, the last counterfeit Goya, priced at €8 million and titled “Blessing of Santa Rosa de Lima,” was found to be a copy of a painting from an unidentified 17th-century Italian artist rather than Goya.
The investigation into this high-profile art forgery case continues as authorities endeavor to identify and apprehend any additional suspects involved. Spanish police are collaborating with international law enforcement agencies to track down potential buyers and prevent the sale of counterfeit art on the global market.
The Prado Museum, where several original artworks are housed, is collaborating with experts to raise awareness about art forgeries and educate the public on identifying genuine masterpieces.
In response to this case, the Spanish government is contemplating bolstering regulations surrounding the art market, including the authentication and certification processes for artworks. The government aims to safeguard the reputation and value of Spain’s rich artistic heritage and ensure that forgeries do not diminish the appreciation of genuine masterpieces.
As the investigation unfolds, this case serves as a reminder of the necessity for vigilance in the art world to safeguard both the integrity of the artists and the value of their work. It underscores the significance of collaboration between art institutions, experts, and law enforcement to combat art forgery and uphold the trust of collectors, enthusiasts, and the general public.