Wolfgang Beltracchi

Wolfgang Beltracchi is a German art forger known for creating convincing forgeries of famous early 20th-century artists like Max Ernst and Heinrich Campendonk. Operating from the late 1970s until his arrest in 2010, he produced paintings that were so authentic-looking they were sold for millions before being uncovered as fakes. His detailed techniques included reusing old canvases and authentic materials, making detection difficult. Beltracchi's work highlighted vulnerabilities in the art authentication process and sparked debates about valuation and provenance in the art world. His case remains a notable example of high-level art forgery.