WOLFGANG BELTRACCHI

Wolfgang Beltracchi, born on 4 February 1951 in Höxter, is a German artist and is considered one of the most versatile art forgers in history. Beltracchi has admitted to forging hundreds of paintings by renowned artists, including Heinrich Campendonk, Fernand Léger, and Max Ernst. In a sensational trial in 2011, he was sentenced to a six-year prison term for his forgeries. Since 1992, he has been married to his wife Helene, and together they live and work in Meggen, Switzerland.

Selected projects include the documentary "Beltracchi - Die Kunst der Fälschung" (in English "Beltracchi: The Art Forgery") directed by Arne Birkenstock. The 1h 33m film is a mesmerizing, thought-provoking yet surprisingly amusing documentary on the life and times of Wolfgang Beltracchi and his wife Helene Beltracchi. A larger-than-life personality, the couple was responsible for the biggest art forgery scandal of the postwar era.

Additionally, in 2018, the Art On Ice production was dedicated to "The Original," inspired by Wolfgang Beltracchi's story following his and Helene's imprisonment for six years. The paintings featured in Art On Ice 2018 showcase new artworks, original pieces signed with Wolfgang Beltracchi's own name.

Lastly, in 2021, Wolfgang Beltracchi launched his first NFT drop titled "The Greats (NFTs) by Wolfgang Beltracchi." "The Greats" NFT drop is a recreation of the most controversial painting in the world, Leonardo da Vinci’s alleged “Salvator Mundi,” the most expensive painting ever sold. For "The Greats," Wolfgang Beltracchi painted in the styles of seven different old masters, including Picasso, Van Gogh, Da Vinci, and more. Wolfgang Beltracchi utilized his encyclopaedia of art knowledge, an unrivalled depth in the understanding of painting techniques, and meticulous execution to create masterpieces that could have been crafted by the hands of the old masters themselves.

Numerous exhibitions and publications have followed; please see each project separately.