1 Art Reflecting Life

Paint, And A Brush With Crime Kevin Currie SOC 305 Crime and Society Earl Ballou December 3, 2008 Many Crimes, The Same Result Deep underground from the busy streets of Washington D,C, two burly security guards escorted a small, short, grey haired man, well into his late sixties. His trademark wire rim glasses, bow tie, and crisp white shirt was a trademark at the Smithsonian; the sign of a well respected Curator. Mr. Jon Eklund was not in the mood to speak, as urgent museum business was required. As the three men walked with a steady pace, Eklund wondered what could be so important to interrupt his conference on art forgeries. Considering it was his team who discovered several pieces, while visiting the Vatican last spring, he was anxious to return to audience and share his famed story. Moments later Eklunds curious nature turned to anxiety on seeing additional police officers and a taller man wearing a dark overcoat who was clearly in charge at the end of the cement lined hallway. To Eklunds surprise, the man in the coat was with Scotland Yard, asking if a man visited him to inspect rare Assyrian reliefs within the past few days. In fact Eklund did speak with a man of average, height, build, and appearance asking if the museum was interested in purchasing these items. The curators mouth dropped in shock as the agent reviled the man selling these items was his name was Sean Greenhalgh, and along with his 84-year-old father, George, and his mother, Olive, 83, he was suspected of having spent almost two decades creating fake paintings, sculptures and artifacts in a council house garden shed (The counterfeiters 2007). Even though the use of the Smithson was for effect, Sean Greenhalgh is a real art counterfeiter, who was recently caught along with his parents (The counterfeiters, 2007). Art counterfeits are flooding the market place causing massive problems, including creditability issues within the art world. Still in order to fight these types of crimes it is vital to understand crime, how people learn to commit such a crime, and how it leads to criminal careers. Where Does The Life Of Crime Begin? Understanding crime and how it affects people and society is not much of a mystery. The very word crime means many different things to various people. Still, an action, which constitutes an offense that may be prosecuted by a State or National Government by law, is the common definition. Take for example two prominent New York and Miami art dealers, who were arrested on charges of selling forged painting. The paintings sold to unsuspecting buyers bore famous artists including Wesselmann, Matisse, and Chagall. One victim paid $120,000 and traded a 2004 Bentley, while another buyer

shelled out $125,000 for another fake painting. If convicted these dealers could face up to 30 years in prison (NEUMEISTER, 2008). Facing prison for 30 years is a quite risk for selling fraudulent paintings, yet the lust for money appears to be greater than the concern of getting caught. In most cases the very act of crime is to gain some monetary gain. However, with some criminals, such as gangs and the mafia, there may be more reason than just money. A need for status, and acceptance in addition to fast money are usually the main reasons for these groups to develop and cause a breakdown in society (The counterfeiters 2007). Additionally some weak-minded citizens may watch movies as Scarface, The God Father or some other crime based movie, thinking their lives would be similar if they followed this fictional path (The counterfeiters, 2007). But what about the white-collar crimes, how does someone become involved in a world of art fraud? The short answer is usually some large monetary gain. However, in the case of the Thwaites brothers, they were only trying to make ends meet (Press, 2006). Considering they fooled art experts including one from the Antiques Roadshow television program with paintings he claimed were by the Victorian artist John Anster Fitzgerald. (Press, 2006). They clearly have a talent, which could have been used to make end meet and then some. Furthermore one of the brothers, Robert allegedly worked for nearly five years, between 1999 and 2004, producing and selling paintings at his home in Herefordshire, western England, which he said were by Fitzgerald, who died in 1906 and was known for his images of fairy scenes (Press, 2006). In one case Robert Thwaites sold one to Rupert Maas, a gallery owner and art specialist for the British Broadcasting Corp.'s "Antiques Roadshow" program, for 20,000 pounds (US$38,000; 30,000). It was so convincing, prosecutors said, that Maas sold it on for three times that price (Press, 2006). Learning The Art Of Crime. Clearly, a hidden talent was exposed and used for a white-collar crime motive. Yet, the question remains, how does someone learn how to use his or her talents for crime, whereas they could have easily created a name all of there own? The answer is not concrete, or the same for every individual. The answer may be in the form of a persons environment, or sudden change in circumstances, or a member of the family has only known this particular life style (Criminal Behavior, 2007). Nevertheless, there is the mystery if someone new to this career has battled ethical or moral issues. Perhaps these emotions are felt in a wave once they are caught. The Life Of A Career Criminal Looking back to the Greenhalgh case, he along with his elder parents made a life of selling fake painting for almost decades. His 84-year-old father, George, and his mother, Olive, 83, he was suspected of having spent almost two decades creating fake paintings, sculptures and artifacts in a council house garden shed (Criminal Behavior, 2007). The reasons why a son would follow his Fathers footsteps is pretty clear; this was a family career business. Ironically, this level of crime would be considered a career criminal, but according to a FBI Law Enforcement article a career criminal Career criminals have an acute awareness of their surroundings and possess many survival skills, learned traits during incarceration. They know how to size up a situation quickly to pursue criminal objectives or scam their way out of a situation (Allender, 2003). Even though this definition is accurate, it does not fit the profile of a white-collar career criminal. Yet, the same article does suggest a reason for the acceptance of career choice in white-collar crime. Career criminals view themselves with an inflated ego. They even may have contempt for fellow inmates and scorn law-abiding people and authority. While committing a crime, they may have a false

sense of invincibility, making them all the more dangerous. Moreover, they continue their criminal enterprises even while incarcerated (Allender, 2003). Taking into consideration this definition is more geared towards the violent non white-collar criminals, there are some commonalities. From a psychological perspective a person involved in creating art fakes, by their own creative hand could give them a sense of association with the original artist living forever in someones personal collection or on the wall of a museum. Or perhaps someone become involved just for the thrill of crime. Theses of course are simple theories, which has no solid empirical evidence. While studies may be underway to better understand theses impulses, Hollywood has given their views on white-collar crime with movies including Wall Street, The Hudsucker Proxy, and The Thomas Crown Affair, which the main character, plans an elaborate art heist, and art fraud at the same time. In this case the crime was committed out of ego, boredom and the thrill of the chase. The Reasons For White-Collar Crimes A thrill of getting caught may be one possibility as thieves stole the famous The Scream in 1994 when they set off an alarm, which was ignored by the guard. The cheeky thieves left a note reading, "Thanks for the poor security." (News, 2004) Thankfully after a lengthy investigation the painting was located, but there is no word on who stole the painting, while making fun of the lack of security. Still there are many pieces, which has not found, could very well be in a private collection or in storage waiting to appear on the black market. Some pieces could easily fetch several million depending on the artist, and condition. The Internet And Fraud The scream was not the painting in the headlines, but several fine art forgeries including works by Pablo Picasso, Dali, Miro, Warhol, and Chagall. According to the FBI, many fine art forgeries were discovered with the assistance from Ebay, Operation Dealer No Deal was launched. The end result was the arrest of several individuals, which dealt with countries, including Japan, Australia, Canada, Europe, and the United States. One counterfeit piece included this Picasso titled Francoise Gilot

The FBI offers these tips to avoid purchasing counterfeit art including Get a complete provenance or chain of custody on each piece to find out where the art came from originally. Was it obtained directly from an estate, for example? This information provides a way to double-check the pieces history instead of just relying on the certificate of authenticity. Research the dealer carefully. Check the Better Business Bureau for possible complaints. Find out if they sell only online or if they have a gallery. (FBI, 2008)

Additionally the FBI suggests checking on your pieces of art you already own, you can go back to the gallery and ask for provenance on your print. You can also contact artists foundations, which will do side-by-side comparisons with originals for a fee. And remember, when youre trying to find that one treasure from someones garage, thats when youre more likely to let your guard down. (FBI, 2008) Sadly with the expansion of the Internet, art fraud will continue to grow along with the growing number of white-collar crimes. Since the number of cases of fine art fraud is on the rise, more people should take the advice of the FBI and check the history of the work and not buy based on emotions, as someone in the white-collar crime world is hoping you will do just that, buy on emotion without checking first.

References The counterfeiters (2007, 12), The counterfeiters: Inside the world of art forgery, Retrieved November 28, 2008, from Museum Security Network Web site: http://www,museum-security,org/?p=69 NEUMEISTER, L (2008, 12 21), NY, Fla, art dealer accused of selling forgeries, Retrieved November 29, 2008, from NY, Fla, art dealer accused of selling forgeries Web site: http://www,google,com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iV3UtkowMX061-TtjwFHQrNdumwD94JQCKO0 Criminal Behavior (2007 11). The Psychology Of Criminal Behavior . Retrieved November 9, 2008, from The Psychology Of Criminal Behavior Web site: http://www.athabascau.ca/courses/crjs/360/gangs_def02.html# psychological Press, The Associated (2006, 9 19). Brothers sentenced in British art forgery case. Retrieved November 30, 2008, from Brothers sentenced in British art forgery case Web site: http://www.iht.com/ articles/ap/2006/09/19/europe/EU_GEN_Britain_Art_Fraud.php Ralph Blumenthal (1998, March 14). Putting some order to all the Dali prints, both real and fake. New York Times (Late Edition (east Coast)), p. B, 9:1.

Retrieved November 12, 2008, from National Newspaper Abstracts (3) database. (Document ID: 27433867). Caroline McDonald (2008, April). Inside Jobs On The Rise In Fine Art World. National Underwriter. P & C, 112(13), 16,20. Retrieved November 12, 2008, from ABI/INFORM Global database. (Document ID: 1468032681). Allender, David (2003, 6). Career criminals, security threat groups, and prison gangs an interrelated threat - Perspective. Retrieved November 30, 2008, from Career criminals, security threat groups, and prison gangs an interrelated threat - Perspective Web site: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2194/is_6_72 /ai_105477695/pg_2?tag=artBody;col1 FBI, (2008 03 21). FINE ART FORGERIES Global Counterfeiting Scams Uncovered. Retrieved November 30, 2008, from FINE ART FORGERIES Global Counterfeiting Scams Uncovered Web site: http://www.fbi.gov/page2/march08/artscam_032108.html