Letters from Tomis

Perenyi, Kenneth. Caveat Emptor: The Secret Life of an American Art Forger. Pegasus Books, 2012.

Kenneth Perenyi’s Caveat Emptor: The Secret Life of an American Art Forger is a thrilling and fascinating memoir that pulls back the curtain on the secretive world of art forgery. With a narrative that reads like a crime novel, Perenyi details his rise from an aspiring artist to one of the most notorious art forgers in modern history.

What makes Caveat Emptor so compelling is Perenyi’s keen attention to detail, both in his descriptions of forging techniques and in the way he navigated the art world’s blind spots. His ability to mimic the styles of master painters, paired with his deep understanding of historical materials and aging processes, is truly astonishing. The book is packed with intrigue, close calls with the FBI, and insights into the vulnerabilities of the high-stakes art market.

Beyond the thrilling aspects of his story, Perenyi presents a unique perspective on the nature of authenticity and value in art. His writing is sharp, engaging, and filled with wry humor, making even the most technical aspects of his craft accessible and entertaining.

For anyone interested in art, crime, or the psychology of deception, Caveat Emptor is a must-read. It’s a rare glimpse into a world where talent and audacity collide, leaving the reader both impressed and questioning the true nature of artistic worth.