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How does an art forgery differ from a copy made without an intent to deceive?

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kouros — Art fraud Kouros of uncertain provenance, formerly on display with the label “about 530 bc or modern forgery,” dolomitic marble; in the J. Paul Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California.

The fundamental distinction between an art forgery and a copy made without an intent to deceive lies in the creator's or seller's intent to defraud.1

In the context of art, the act of copying a painting, sculpture, or other work is not inherently a forgery. Similarly, creating a work "in the style" of a specific artist or historical period is a legitimate artistic practice and does not constitute forgery.1

A work becomes a forgery only when it is created or offered for sale with the deliberate intent to deceive—typically by falsely attributing the piece to an artist whose works command high market prices. This fraudulent intent is the defining legal and ethical threshold. Conversely, copies made in good faith, such as those produced for study or as authorized facsimiles, are not considered forgeries because they lack the deceptive purpose to misrepresent the work's true origin or value.1