The Rothko Scam
How a master of emotion became the perfect target for forgery
4.4 (22)
43 mins
Explore Mark Rothko’s rise from immigrant artist to creator of vast, spiritual color fields that reshaped modern art. Learn about the gaps in records and myths around lost works, and how those mysteries enabled one of history’s largest forgery scandals.
Ep 1:
The $8.3 Million Fake
An $8.3 million Rothko turns out to be fake, launching a deep dive into the artist's mystique and why his work became forgery's perfect target.
Ep 2:
Forger, Fixer, and the Story-Teller
A struggling Shanghai painter, a crafty Spanish con man, and a smooth-talking dealer combine talents to manufacture a criminal masterpiece factory.
Ep 3:
The Gallery That Should Have Known
America's oldest gallery ignores red flags and warnings, selling a fabricated Rothko to a savvy collector using an increasingly absurd secret-lover backstory.
Ep 4:
Cracks in the Canvas
Knoedler's history of shady provenance resurfaces as cutting-edge forensic science finally exposes the impossible physical flaws hidden inside a forged Rothko.
Ep 5:
The Scheme Unravels
The FBI closes in on the forgery ring, leading to lies, flight, indictments, and one dealer's unwavering refusal to admit any guilt.
Ep 6:
Aftershocks of a Masterpiece Lie
The forgery scandal's shockwaves hit collectors, museums, and insurers alike, leaving lasting lessons about trust, verification, and art world accountability.
Discussions (9)
Alvin
Level 9 · 7 mo agoThat crossbar analysis is correct! Vertical marks on a horizontal stretcher are technically impossible.
Gregory
Level 8 · 7 mo ago80 million for tea bags.
Malachi
Level 9 · 7 mo ago80 million for tea stains.
