Britannica Sources used in this answer

Why did art forgeries increase during the 18th and 19th centuries?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

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.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the increase in art forgeries was primarily driven by a surge in interest regarding the classification and study of the past, which led to the formalization of art history as an academic discipline. As the art market adjusted to accommodate this growing fascination with historical eras and artistic styles, the demand for rare works often outpaced supply, creating lucrative opportunities for fraud.12

A significant catalyst for this trend was the Grand Tour, a rite of passage for wealthy young men from northern Europe. As these travelers toured Italy to study and collect Renaissance art and antiquities, they became major patrons of the art market. This high demand for souvenirs and prestigious historical pieces encouraged dealers and artists to produce copies and, concurrently, forgeries to satisfy the appetites of collectors. Because the market was driven by a desire for specific, scarce items, unprincipled dealers frequently guided skilled artists to create works that mimicked the styles or origins most sought after by tourists and museums.342