ONE REASON why it is better to buy art from living artists, is because you can contact the artists to tell you whether it is their work or not. Plus, living artists need the support, their work is more affordable and can gain great value over time. But if you prefer to invest in the already established artists of the past, there are some things you should consider: once an artist has passed away, various scams can occur, and this has been the case in recent years in the Greek art market, with works by prestigious Greek artists being forged. One such case was in the news in December, 2024, when 930 counterfeit works were found in Thessaloniki, with 123 of these works planned to go in an online auction. Achilleas Tsantilis, Director of Tsantilis Art, has warned about the problem of counterfeit works of art before, as for example in an interview for Art Scene Athens, which you can find here . However, he recently elaborated in more detail on the ways that these forgers work. What follows is Tsantilis’s own words on how forgers go about their business, and what to look out for. Tsantilis Art was established in 1925, and so this year it has reached 100 years of involvement in the Greek art world in various fields. Mr Tsantilis is the Senior Art Expert of the Greek Court of Justice and President of the Hellenic – Cyprus Association of Art Authenticators & Appraisers, and President of the Association of Art Appraisers/Experts of Greece and Cyprus. He highlights the following:

Counterfeit Works of Art: A Threat to Cultural Heritage and the Art Market in Greece, Cyprus and Internationally

The trafficking of counterfeit works of art poses a serious threat to our cultural heritage and the art market worldwide. In recent years, the increase in counterfeit works has been alarming, both in Greece and Cyprus and internationally. Counterfeiters use specialized methods to create false works and channel them into the market, deceiving unsuspecting collectors and investors.

Incidents in Greece and Cyprus

In Thessaloniki and Cyprus, authorities have uncovered rings that were trafficking in counterfeit works of art by major Greek artists, such as Mytaras, Parthenis, Gaitis and Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas. The forgers use old canvases or paper and fake signatures to create works that look authentic. They also achieve the “aging” of the colors through inversion techniques to give the impression of antiquity.

In 2016, the Greek Police managed to identify a large number of counterfeit works being trafficked through open auctions and galleries, some of which had certificates of authenticity that turned out to be false. Similar incidents have also occurred in Cyprus, where counterfeit works by well-known Cypriot artists were found being trafficked through small galleries. According to Mr. Tsantilis, “Cyprus is often a starting point for the trafficking of counterfeit works of art, which are then channeled to Thessaloniki and from there to Athens. The lack of sufficient experts in these areas facilitates the activities of these rings.”

Incidents Abroad

Forged works of Greek art have also been detected outside of Greece. In particular, in London, Paris and New York, auction houses and galleries have been found to be exhibiting works purporting to belong to artists such as Parthenis and Mytaras, which were later proven to be fakes after investigations and authenticity checks. Furthermore, in 2019, authorities in London uncovered a forgery network that had reached major auctions, with works presented as authentic Greek, but found to be fakes.

Methods of Placing Counterfeits on the Market

Forgers use various techniques to place counterfeit works on the market:

1. Old Materials and Techniques: They use tarpaulins, cardboard, and other materials that resemble those of the past, while applying techniques to “polish” the colors, giving the works the appearance of antiquity.

2. Signature Forgery: Forgers imitate the signatures of famous artists, such as Mytaras, and create false certificates of authenticity that enhance the value of their works.

3. Counterfeit Seals and Certificates: Seals from museums, galleries, old appraisers and curators, and even institutions that no longer exist, are used to falsely certify the authenticity of works.

Impact on Cultural Heritage and the Art Market

The circulation of these counterfeit works undermines confidence in the art market and reduces the value of authentic works, causing irreparable damage to our cultural heritage. Artists and their works suffer, while collectors pay large sums for works that have no relation to the original creations.

The increasing trend of these scams highlights the need for stricter controls and the development of partnerships with experienced experts to ensure the authenticity of works.

The Importance of Prevention and Cooperation

Prevention is the most effective method to address this problem:

• Choose carefully: Avoid buying from private individuals without the help of experts.

• Check works thoroughly at auctions: Auctions often disclaim responsibility for the authenticity of their works. Buyers should take advantage of the exhibition time to examine the works with the help of specialized experts.

• Work with Greek experts: Auction houses and galleries abroad should work with Greek experts to recognize the authenticity of works of art.

Protecting the authenticity of our art requires a collective effort and transparency, in order to ensure the value and cultural heritage of authentic works for future generations.

About Tsantilis Art:

This year Tsantilis Art celebrates its centenary. Since its establishment in 1925, it has been dedicated to curating and presenting the finest Greek and European artworks, becoming a beacon for art enthusiasts and collectors alike. Over the past century, Tsantilis Art has acquired and sold masterpiece rarities to esteemed museums and international collectors, enriching the global art community with significant works that stand unparalleled in quality and artistic value. The gallery’s collection spans from the 18th to the 20th century, offering treasures of modern and contemporary art that surpass what is offered elsewhere.

Tsantilis Art has been honored with recognition from prestigious publications, including Vogue and Tatler magazines. It has also been featured by major media outlets such as TV5, Greek National Television (ERT), Antenna Channel, Mega Channel, and Action 24 Channel.

Tsantilis Art is more than a gallery, seeing as it also offers authoritative expertise in art authentication, unmatched accuracy and trustworthiness in art assessments and art appraisals, plus comprehensive advisory services which help collectors make informed art investment decisions. Furthermore, it also offers conservation and restoration services.

Through its authentication services and collaboration with the Hellenic Association of Art Experts, Tsantilis Art plays a vital role in safeguarding Greek civilization by protecting its cultural heritage. With the right care, authentic artworks can be preserved and appreciated for generations to come.

• Tsantilis Art, Est. 1925. Gallery & Official Art Experts of the Greek State. 5 Sekeri Street, Kolonaki, Athens. Tel 210-360-5337. Emails: at@tsantilisart.com, info@tsantilisart.com. You can visit the gallery’s website here www.artmodern.gr