Riccardo Nobili

author

Riccardo Nobili

1859–1939

An Italian painter, writer, and antiquarian, he brought an insider’s eye to the worlds of art, collecting, and deception. His books are especially remembered for their lively, informed takes on old masters and forged masterpieces.

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 and later active in Paris and Venice, Riccardo Nobili built a varied career as a painter, writer, and antiquarian. He studied art in Florence, and his background in painting gave his writing a practical feel that set it apart from purely academic art history.

Nobili wrote both fiction and nonfiction, often drawing on his close knowledge of the art market. He is now especially associated with writing about art forgery and imitation, including The Gentle Art of Faking, a work that helped make the hidden techniques and temptations of the trade understandable to general readers.

He died in Venice in 1939. Though not as widely known today as some of his contemporaries, he remains an intriguing figure for readers interested in the overlap between art, authenticity, and storytelling.