Art forgeries are all mischievous imitations of works of art, used for gaining money from the nave art collectors. Art forgeries are different from art copies. Art copies of certain paintings are usually made by other artists. For example, the students of da Vinci, the famous Caracci, Durer , and Rota, copied some of his sketches and paintings to exercise on his style. Art forgeries are worthless, while some art copies can be priceless, depending on the artist that did them.

If you are still new in art collection, you had better learn some things about art forgeries, before spending you money on something that is utter rubbish.

First of all, upon buying an art, carefully examine the signature of the artist. Art forgeries are usually very precise when imitating the artist's signature, but some clues can be found, if you attend closely to the painting. The signature can vary slightly from other signatures, and if you have doubts, you had better consult with a professional.

Another important thing to be done is to check everything about the artist, his or her exhibitions, all the paintings he or she has done. Learn by heart all the important dates in the artist's career so that not to be taken in by a forger's lies. Before buying anything, learn as much as you can about the artist. Get a grasp about the artist's common style, the materials which he or she uses, the type of the canvas or paper. Another point of interest is age. Don't take it as granted, if the seller told you that the painting was very old. Art forgeries are well-known for the special procedures of making a painting look older than it actually is. Besides, not all artists from the past were famous and worth spending a fortune on their works.

OK, so everything is fine and the painting seems authentic. What if it's stolen? You have to check with the FBI archive of art thefts in order to make sure you aren't getting into anything illegal. You should find an appraiser before buying anything. A list of appraisers can be found on the site of Art Appraisers of America or the American Society of Appraisers. You just need to specify your state , and you will get the list of professionals that live nearby. They can give you precious advice and can also protect you from getting an art forgery.

So, if you intend to make art collection your hobby, you have to be very careful what you buy. But if you simply ADMIRE the painting itself and don't give a damn whether it is a Monet or not, you should buy it. Afterwards, collecting art is not just a money investment, it also brings aesthetic delight and happiness.