Go behind the museum velvet ropes to explore the art world's most gripping scandals. From the unsolved Gardner heist and master forgers who fooled the experts to the heated global debates over returning looted treasres, we'll dive into the high stakes drama that shapes history. Join us to uncover the mysteries hidden behind the masterpieces.
Course topics will be drawn from questions rooted in backstories with the following potenial discussion starters:
Art Heists & Unsolved Mysteries: Recent heists like jewels at the Lourve or the paintings from the Magnani Rocca Foundation villa, shock and intrigue art lovers worldwide. What artifacts are missing? Why and how are they significant? What do infamous thefts like the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist or the theft of the Mona Lisa tell us?
Scandals and Vandals: Famous art becomes a target for personal and political propaganda. Michelangelo’s Vatican Pieta and Florentine David survived brutal attacks in situ. Rembrandt’s Nightwatch has endured numerous assaults. Political activists have targeted van Gogh, Leonardo, Constable. What’s the story?
Forgeries and Fakes: How do forgers fool experts and what scientific methods can be used to detect them? Infamous forgers Han Van Meegeren, Wolfgang Beltracchi, and Eric Hebborn successfully fooled viewers for years highlighting the importance of provenance in art collecting.
