SELECTED FILMOGRAPHY
2014 – Present

During the portrait sessions between master forger Beltracchi and ice princess Katarina Witt, two worlds come closer: that of art and that of figure skating. The painter and his model couldn't be more different—Wolfgang Beltracchi, the eternal hippie, and Katarina Witt, the disciplined athlete. However, over time, what connects them becomes apparent: ironclad craftsmanship discipline. In this episode, Beltracchi paints in the style of Tamara de Lempicka, the queen of Art Deco painting, known not only for her art but also for her extraordinary lifestyle.

Wolfgang Beltracchi had previously imitated paintings by Tamara de Lempicka. The number of imitations and their whereabouts remain the painter's secret. Katarina Witt sits for the painter for two days, providing an opportunity for extensive conversations, revolving not least around physicality. How idealized should the portrait be? Should it beautify the appearance or depict it realistically? Conversations that center around appearance, not without a touch of vanity. In this episode, Beltracchi himself answers a central question for him: Is there a painter's life for him after forgery? Almost all former forgers have faded away into obscurity after being exposed. However, Beltracchi is convinced that this won't happen to him.

In this episode, the 'Master Forger' Wolfgang Beltracchi portrays the German humorist and writer Hape Kerkeling in his Italian chosen home, Umbria. He depicts him in the style of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, the painter from a noble family who often painted in the brothels of Paris. In doing so, the contemplative side of Kerkeling is revealed: it explores nothing less than the meaning of life and death.

Hape Kerkeling was a guarantor for numerous highlights in German comedy. Many of his characters are unforgettable to this day: the prudish journalist Horst Schlämmer, the legendary parody of Queen Beatrix, the crazy performance as a Polish opera singer with 'Hurz!'. Kerkeling spared no joke until the jester transformed into a popular philosopher.

With his book 'I'm Off Then: Losing and Finding Myself on the Camino de Santiago,' he described his pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago. To this day, Kerkeling has sold a sensational 4.5 million copies of it.

Wolfgang Beltracchi is the most sophisticated art forger in recent history. For 35 years, he used his talent to paint pictures in the style of other artists. He infiltrated over 300 paintings into the art market this way until he was exposed in 2010. After serving his prison sentence, the master forger shows again what he can do. And for him too, 'Life and Death' is a big theme. He, who spent four years in open prison, he who ponders 'genetic flashbacks' and falling angels.

To paint like Toulouse-Lautrec, Beltracchi immersed himself in the life and work of the diminutive artist. He visited the largest Toulouse-Lautrec collection in Albi for this purpose. During the painting session in Umbria, he knows almost everything about the noble-born painter. In the conversations between Beltracchi and Kerkeling, life and death, faith, and superstition are recurring themes. In short, it's about life in its entirety.

For two days, Annette Dasch sat as a model for the master forger. He painted her in the style of Rossetti, the English painter who caused a sensation in the mid-19th century with his lascivious portraits of women. During this time, intriguing conversations unfolded. What kind of life was it where one constantly had to keep the source of so much money a secret? Was there a constant fear of getting caught? How did this clandestine existence affect the children? When the soprano surprised the painter with the song "Allerseelen," the allegedly unmusical painter's eyes became moist, and he said, "So beautiful, so sad!" She is the new star in the German soprano sky: Annette Dasch. Beltracchi portrays her in the handwriting of the English painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti. At first, they seem to have little in common: the painter describes himself as highly unmusical, "although I look like a rock star." And the classical singer says, "A life without Mozart and Bach is unimaginable for me." 

Otto Waalkes wanted to become a painter and studied at the Hamburg University of Fine Arts. However, he later became a musician and comedian, something like the pioneer of the new German comedy scene. Wolfgang Beltracchi, on the other hand, lacked a formal academic education but surpassed them all. For two days, Otto poses as a model for the forger. Beltracchi portrays him in the style of Anthonis Van Dyck, experimenting with quick painting techniques.

Beltracchi is the most sophisticated art forger in recent history. For 35 years, he used his talent to paint pictures in the style of other artists, sneaking over 300 paintings into the art market. It all comes crashing down in 2010 when he is exposed and sentenced to six years in prison. After serving his sentence in early 2015, the master forger shows once again what he's capable of.

The 3sat series is a mix of cultural program and talk show. Otto shares stories with the painter from his youth in the shared living space of Villa Kunterbunt, where the core of the Hamburg music and comedy scene converged. In addition, the two discuss various painting styles. Beltracchi claims he can imitate any style. Now, he attempts to prove this by portraying Otto in the style of Anthonis Van Dyck—a daring endeavor in such a short time!

The exceptionally talented painter Wolfgang Beltracchi, a former master forger, portrayed Barbara Schöneberger in the style of Gustav Klimt, specifically using a lot of gold. The painter and the model draw closer during the sitting: they share insights into their desires and hopes. It's an opportunity for in-depth conversations, which ultimately revolve around physicality.

The exceptionally talented painter Wolfgang Beltracchi, a former master forger, portrayed Barbara Schöneberger in the style of Gustav Klimt, specifically using a lot of gold. The painter and the model draw closer during the sitting: they share insights into their desires and hopes. It's an opportunity for in-depth conversations, which ultimately revolve around physicality.

Beltracchi portrays Mario Gomez in the style of Vincent van Gogh. The football star is playing a home game here. Mario Gomez, the striker for the German national football team, has been playing for the Volkswagen Wolfsburg team since the beginning of the season. A picture-perfect man and Wolfgang Beltracchi is truly excited to paint him.

The painter and his model descend into the catacombs of the Wolfsburg VW Arena. There, Wolfgang Beltracchi has set up his studio for two days. The master forger also shares some behind-the-scenes stories with his model. Mario Gomez wants to know how Beltracchi managed to deceive the entire art world for so long. And what he did to give the forged paintings the necessary aging.

After prison, Beltracchi had to start from scratch. With the master forger, we take a trip to Art Basel. However, Beltracchi is not allowed in. He is shunned by the established art world. He led this world astray for too long.

But right next to the holy halls, his gallery owner has set up a Beltracchi exhibition. The genuine Beltracchis are selling like hotcakes. And the prices have just doubled, courtesy of the gallery owner. It seems that there is also life after forgery for Beltracchi.

Wolfgang Beltracchi portrays Marie Bäumer in the style of Pablo Picasso, the king of modern painting. During the portrait sessions between master forger Beltracchi and actress Marie Bäumer, the painter and the model grow closer. Wolfgang Beltracchi, the eternal hippie, and Marie Bäumer, the Romy Schneider Prize winner, share a love for the art of Pablo Picasso. Marie Bäumer wishes to be painted in the style of Picasso's masterpiece from the Blue Period.

Beltracchi painted his first Picasso at the age of thirteen. As for when he painted his last one, the forger's politeness remains silent. At his arrest a few years ago, only a few of his 300 forgeries were exposed. The true number and their current whereabouts remain the secret of the ingenious copyist.

Marie Bäumer models for the painter for two days, eye to eye. Like the colours of the rainbow on the palette, the entire spectrum between humility and vanity hangs in the air. Vanity, in Wolfgang Beltracchi's case, carries significant weight. And he promptly reveals why this is the case. Meanwhile, the beautiful actress conceals her feminine charms, dressing in a plain overall and aiming to be depicted as androgynous. This poses a challenge for Beltracchi, not only as a painter but more so as a man.

While the master forger explores the question of which blue he must mix for this painting, art enthusiasts wonder why on earth the beautiful actress must be portrayed so strictly and without curves in art history. Even if it's only in the history of forgeries.

Wolfgang Beltracchi portrays Ina Müller in the style of Henri Matisse. Ina Müller's passion lies in the language of her northern German homeland: Low German (Plattdeutsch). She reads and sings "op Platt" (in Low German). For the past ten years, she has been hosting the television show "Inas Nacht" in the small Hamburg pub "Zum Schellfischposten." The former pharmacy assistant has a few special pills prepared for Wolfgang Beltracchi – the bundle of energy can't sit still as a model.

In reality, Ina Müller's favourite painter is the German graphic artist and etcher Horst Janssen, one of the most prolific draftsmen of the 20th century. Ina Müller tries to make her idol appealing to the art forger Wolfgang Beltracchi. She presents him with a whole wall of Horst Janssen pictures in her apartment. However, the local hero Janssen finds no mercy. Thus, Ina Müller is immortalized in the style of Henri Matisse.

Matisse, the main representative of Fauvism, ranks with Picasso as one of the most significant artists of Classical Modernism. That's where Wolfgang Beltracchi feels at home. After all, the master forger can paint them all.