Les faussaires, miroirs sans tain du marché de l’art
Anthropologist Monique Jeudy-Ballini has published a new book, "Peintres de l’ombre. Les faussaires à l’œuvre," in which she examines art forgers through an ethnographic lens. Drawing on autobiographical accounts, published interviews, and expert writings—including those of notorious forgers Wolfgang Beltracchi, Eric Hebborn, and Guy Ribes—she explores the motivations and practices of these clandestine figures, arguing that their work involves not only technical skill but also the creation of elaborate narratives and pedigrees for their forgeries. The book is part of the Ethnologiques series edited by Philippe Descola and published by Éditions Mimésis.
This study matters because it challenges conventional moral and legal judgments about forgery, reframing it as a form of artistic performance that exposes the fragile belief systems underpinning the art world. By questioning the notion of authenticity—especially in light of contemporary art's own history of appropriation and imposture—Jeudy-Ballini reveals how forgers, far from being mere criminals, act as mirrors that reflect the vulnerabilities and contradictions of the art market and its institutions. The book offers a provocative, if not entirely conclusive, contribution to debates on authorship, value, and trust in art.