At Mart Rovereto an important exhibition focusing on Alceo Dossena (Cremona, 1878 - Roma, 1937), ‘genuine forger’ and author of a wealth of sculptural work in the style of the ancient and Renaissance masters.
Recognised in the 1900s as one of the most original and enigmatic figures of the art world, Dossena created authentic masterpieces capable of pulling the wool over even the most expert eyes, which critics attributed to Donatello, Simone Martini, Giovanni and Nino Pisano, Andrea del Verrocchio and other famous artists of the past. He achieved results of such rare quality that his sculpted works were purchased by the largest museums in the world through antique dealers who in turn would suggest to Dossena which subjects and models might constitute the most opportune projects and provided him with materials.
The key points of interest of the exhibition, which features over one hundred sculptures from private and public collections, comprise a section dedicated to counterfeit artistic works dating back to periods of the 19th and 20th centuries and the comparative presentation of two recent 'fake’ works of art: a series of ‘heads’ that acquired a certain fame and were by Angelo Froglia, Pietro Luridiana, Pier Francesco Ferrucci and Michele Ghelarducci, the artists behind the "deception and trickery of the false heads of Modigliani (a.k.a. ‘Modì’)"; some copies of the works of the old masters by Lino Frongia.