The markets for art attract all sorts of people. There are simply pranksters who fool authoritative art historians just for fun. There are con artists who have no relation to art at all but want to pose as great masters. And there are well-known art dealers who consciously build careers by creating fake works or false certificates of authenticity, misleading renowned art historians. The seizure in 2016 of "Venus with a Veil," attributed to the Renaissance master Lucas Cranach, from the collection of the Prince of Liechtenstein caused a scandal that had never occurred in the art world. This almost detective story is the result of five years of investigation that began when the first, and then the second witness came to speak with the author of the book—well-known journalist of The Art Newspaper, Vincent Nose, to share their incredible adventures in the backstage of the art market, where million-dollar deals are made, intrigues are woven, lightning-fast falls occur, and dizzying rises happen. The Louvre, the National Gallery in London, the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Museum of Art History in Vienna, the National Museum in Parma, the branches of "Sotheby's" and "Christie's" in Paris, London, and New York, as well as many prestigious galleries in London and Paris, along with various experts from Europe and the USA, found themselves embroiled in the unfolding scandal—naturally, against their will. Legal proceedings were held in Paris, New York, London, and Milan. Despite various statements made during the investigation, none of the participants in the events has been convicted to this day. Over five years, traveling through France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States, Vincent Nose investigates the origins of these paintings, and it is here that he meets a man secluded in Emilia, Giuliano Ruffini. He asserts his innocence, questioning the conclusions of dealers, experts, curators, and art historians. Truth? Falsehood? Each of the main characters...
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