On March 14, the Kochi Prefectural Museum of Art announced that the oil painting 'Girl and Swan' in its collection has been confirmed as a forgery based on expert analysis.
The investigation was prompted after renowned German art forger Wolfgang Beltracchi claimed the painting as one of his works.
Authorities now believe it is highly likely that Beltracchi was the artist behind the piece.
Similar cases of suspected forgeries linked to Beltracchi have emerged at the Tokushima Prefectural Museum of Modern Art and a now-closed museum in Tokyo.
The Tokushima museum’s representative stated that efforts are underway to verify the authenticity of the artwork in question and that they aim to report their findings as soon as possible.
Beltracchi, once one of the most infamous art forgers in the world, deceived the art market for decades by replicating the styles of various famous painters.
His works have surfaced in major museums and auction houses, fooling collectors and experts alike.
The latest revelation about 'Girl and Swan' raises broader concerns about how many forged artworks might still be undiscovered in public and private collections.
This case highlights the vulnerability of art institutions to high-level forgeries.
As authentication techniques evolve, museums worldwide must reconsider their verification processes to prevent similar scandals in the future.