The story of Hungarian-born Elmyr de Hory (1905-1976) follows the familiar trajectory of a failed artist retaliating against an unwelcoming art world by selling forgeries. After finding little success selling his original work, the frustrated de Hory focused his talents on forging artworks in a variety of styles under the names of such artists as Modigliani, Matisse and Picasso. With the help of his business partner, art dealer Fernand Legros, de Hory sold countless forgeries over a 30 year period before being caught in 1967. After telling a sensationalized version of his career to journalist Clifford Irving, de Hory amassed considerable attention and infamy. While initially gaining the celebrity status he had so desired (including becoming the subject of the 1972 film, F for Fake), the repercussions of his actions eventually drove him to suicide. In order to avoid the growing number of charges amassing against him and a likely fate of imprisonment, de Hory took his life in 1976. Over the course of his controversial career, it is believed that de Hory created– and sold to private collectors and museums– more than 1,000 forged artworks, many of which have yet to be discovered. For further information, visit this link.
By Whitney White
Sources:
International Arts and Artists. “Elmyr de Hory.” Intent to Deceive: Fakes and Forgeries in the Art World. http://www.intenttodeceive.org/forger-profiles/elmyr-de-hory/ [accessed 10 March 2021]