Goya’s fake painting was sold for fake money

MEXICO CITY. The incident that occurred with the brothers James and John Font, natives of Girona, is worthy of being included in the history of not only art, but also forensics.

The story began in 2003, when the Fonts acquired the painting “Portrait of Antonio Maria Esquivel” (Retrato de Antonio María Esquivel), attributed to the brush of Francisco de Goya (Francisco de Goya). The purchase was made at an auction that issued a certificate of authenticity for the painting. However, in doubt, the brothers decided to give the picture to an independent examination.

The painting depicts the Spanish artist Antonio Maria Esquivel, awarded the medal of the Order of Isabella the Catholic. It was here that the difficulties began.

Examination showed that the picture could not be painted by Goya, in addition, Esquivel received the award 11 years after the death of Francisco de Goya. After receiving unpleasant news, the Font brothers decided to get rid of work using a certificate of authenticity that was canceled earlier. Who is the victim to choose?

One of the Arab sheikhs, acting through intermediaries, was ready to pay a large sum for the painting - 4 million euros. The transaction took place in Turin, Italy, where scammers received a deposit of canvas in the amount of 1.1 million euros. At the same time, the fraudsters agreed to pay brokerage fees for the transaction to the representatives of the Sheikh, which amounted to 300,000 euros. They borrowed this money against future profits.

Disappointment overtook the brothers in Geneva, while trying to return the proceeds to the bank. All banknotes turned out to be well-made fakes - photocopies. The brothers were arrested, the picture was seized, and the fate of 300,000 euros and the identity of the sheikh are still unknown.

Anna Sidorova © Gallerix.ru