The magnificent Laocoön and his Sons, which was supposedly unearthed in 1506, has for centuries deeply influenced our understanding of classical art. Art historian Lynn Catterson, however, has suggested the work may in fact be a forgery made by Renaissance giant Michelangelo. Catterson’s claims are founded on a pen study by the artist dating to 1501 that seems reminiscent of the torso of the central figure and bank records that show him receiving substantial, unaccounted for income around the time of the statue’s discovery. While Michelangelo is known to have dabbled in forgery on at least one occasion, most scholars are unconvinced of Catterson’s argument. In any case, this debate demonstrates that even the most well-known works in Western art are not free of suspicion when it comes to uncovering potential fakes and forgeries.
By Whitney White
Sources:
Catterson, Lynn. “Michelangelo’s ‘Laocoön?’ Artibus et Historiae 26.52 (2005): 29–56. (see Kathryn Shattuck, “Is ‘Laocoon’ a Michelangelo forgery?” New York Times (20 April 2005), http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/20/arts/is-laocoon-a-michelangelo-forgery.html
Shattuck, Kathryn. “Is ‘Laocoön’ a Michelangelo Forgery?” New York Times (20 April 2005), https://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/20/arts/is-laocoon-a-michelangelo-forgery.html.