Rome, Flemish masters finished in domopak and archaeological smears: the art of the fake is on display – Repubblica Tv

Canvases of alleged Flemish masters covered with banal kitchen film but also elephant tusks and even finely carved mammoths; works of great authors of contemporary art reproduced in series to hundreds and then real archaeological "frankestein", or amphorae, plates and classic vases that combine authentic parts with fake parts. These are just some of the objects exhibited in the exhibition "In defense of beauty" organized and curated by the Roma Tre University together with the Nucleus for the protection of the cultural assets of the Carabinieri and dedicated to counterfeit works of art and techniques for recognizing them. It is open and free in the foyer of the Faculty of Letters of Roma Tre until 18 December.

"That of false works of art is the third illegal market in the world, it comes immediately after drugs and weapons. There is talk of an estimated turnover of around 6 billion euros a year", explains general of the carabinieri Roberto Riccardi . "The desire to own a piece that certifies one's own culture and spending power leads to deceive potential buyers," says Professor Giuliana Calcani, head of the "Laboratory of the Fake." Sometimes this push overcomes even the assessment of the truth "." An advice? Move only after being well informed about the object to buy – concludes Riccardi -. And keep an eye on the fairness of the price. The only free cheese is that of the mousetrap ".

By Francesco Giovannetti