In the beginning, the desire to own a work of art, typically a painting by a renowned artist, drives many individuals. However, the journey to acquiring such pieces can be fraught with challenges. The art market has become a lucrative space for both dealers and forgers, leading to a surge in imitations and copies that are sometimes sold at prices comparable to the originals. The excitement of hanging an "original" on one’s wall can quickly turn to disappointment when it’s revealed that the painting is, in fact, a forgery.
A Bratislava gallery had planned to offer paintings by iconic Slovak artists like Martin Benka, Ľudovít Fulla, Milan Laluha, and Ladislav Medňanský in an autumn auction. However, the event was abruptly canceled by the Czech organizer. "We suspected that several items in the auction were fake. Since Czech authors were also involved, we heard from many trustworthy sources. It was at that point we decided to cancel the auction and end the cooperation," explained Martin Semerád, the operator of the Livebid.cz auction portal. The manager of MyGallery, Henrich Šusták, echoed similar concerns, stating that new expert reports had been commissioned due to discrepancies in the artwork, leading to the decision to withdraw some pieces.
This issue highlights the growing concern around art forgeries, with a marked increase in interest in collecting art in Slovakia. "From every social class, we find a collector or investor," noted art expert and auction director Július Barczi. However, this surge in demand has also made the market ripe for fraudulent practices, as more individuals seek to profit from counterfeit works.
Experts like art historian Katarína Bajcurová and restorer Miroslav Bezák emphasize the importance of distinguishing authentic works from fakes. Bezák pointed out that restoration methods such as examining canvas age and UV light analysis can help identify forgeries, but the problem persists due to the sophistication of modern forgers. In Slovakia, experts such as Marián Kvasnička, who reviews paintings for MyGallery, have become embroiled in controversy due to the lack of clear regulations on determining authenticity. Kvasnička admitted that while he could assess a work’s style and technique, his expertise did not extend to determining whether a piece was truly an original.
As the art market continues to evolve, the need for clear standards and regulations is becoming increasingly urgent. Experts like lawyer and art scholar Martin Šugár argue that the distinction between art valuation and authenticity needs to be clearly defined to prevent fraudulent activity from proliferating. Meanwhile, auction houses and galleries play a significant role in ensuring that the works they sell are properly authenticated. However, as Michal Volčko from Art Invest Group explained, many sellers attempt to deceive buyers by creating elaborate backstories for their counterfeit paintings, which are often unknowingly purchased as originals.
The issue of art forgeries is not exclusive to Slovakia but is a widespread global problem. Countries like Morocco have already taken steps to address the issue with new legislation, and Slovakia must follow suit. "It’s a matter of urgency that a wider professional debate be opened in Slovakia to tackle this issue," Šugár emphasized. Until such measures are implemented, buyers and collectors must remain vigilant in ensuring the authenticity of their art purchases.
Source: STVR
