Masterpiece or Forgery (DVD)

Elmyr de Hory was called "The Myth of our Century" when he was revealed as a master forger in 1968. Born in 1905, he made an estimated 1000 fake paintings, primarily in the style of the post-impressionists before he died -- or disappeared -- in 1976. In addition to faking paintings, Elmyr de Hory often faked his own identity, and traveled easily throughout Europe's high society. Even his death was the subject of much speculation. His paintings were sold throughout North America, Europe, and Japan, and their total market value is estimated to be over one-hundred million dollars. Many fine and rerspected galleries and museums are in possession of what they believe to be a valuable "Matisse" or "Modigliani," but which is in fact a "de Hory." This fascinating one-hour documentary, directed by Norwegian filmmaker Knut Jorfald, was shot on location in Europe and America, and includes interviews with such friends of Elmyr's as author Clifford Irving, actress Ursula Andress, notorious smuggler Anthony Hugo, as well as William Robinson, curator of the Fogg Museum of Art in Boston, and David Breuer of Sotheby's Auction House in London.

• art
• history