Riccardo Nobili

author

Riccardo Nobili

1859–1939

An Italian painter, writer, and antiquarian, he brought an insider’s eye to fiction and nonfiction alike. He is especially remembered for writing about the strange, fascinating world of art forgery.

1 Audiobook

The Gentle Art of Faking A history of the methods of producing imitations & spurious works of art from the earliest times up to the present day

The Gentle Art of Faking A history of the methods of producing imitations & spurious works of art from the earliest times up to the present day

by Riccardo Nobili

About the author

Born in Florence in 1859, Riccardo Nobili came from an artistic family; his mother, Elena Nobili, was also a painter. He later moved to Paris and built a career that crossed several worlds at once, working as a painter while also becoming known as a writer and antiquarian.

Nobili’s background in art shaped his books. He wrote fiction, including A Modern Antique (1906), and he is best known today for The Gentle Art of Faking (1922), a lively study of imitation, deception, and expertise in the art trade. That mix of practical knowledge and storytelling gives his work a distinctive flavor.

He died in Venice in 1939. For listeners who enjoy books with art-world atmosphere, historical texture, and a touch of mystery about authenticity, Nobili remains an intriguing figure.