| Abstract: | Fakery is a protean concept, taking different forms according to circumstances. A work judged to be genuine in one era might be considered a fake, or a partial fake, in another. In some contexts, modified works or copies might be acceptable or even preferred to the original or to its unretouched version. Different criteria—for example, aesthetic effect versus value on the art market—may lead to different judgments. Fakery is not a black-and-white issue. Art lovers should realize that many paintings are not entirely what they are said to be. This essay discusses some of these issues, as well as techniques that can now be used to analyze artworks. |
