282: Ken Perenyi | The Secret Life of an American Art Forger

Aging Techniques

Ken Perenyi's mastery in art forgery involved intricate techniques to mimic the natural aging of paintings. He developed methods to create convincing crack patterns and patinas that could deceive even the most seasoned experts 1. Ken's approach included using a catalyzed lacquer coating to protect his forgeries from cleaning solvents, ensuring their longevity 2. He explains, "I developed ways through a lot of experimentation and a bit of ingenuity. I created patterns that were just perfection, and that went a long way in launching successful fakes in the salesrooms" 1.

   

Subtle Details

Ken's attention to detail extended to replicating fly droppings on his paintings, a subtle touch that added authenticity. He observed that flies were attracted to the sugar content in antique varnish, leaving behind droppings that were difficult to remove 2. To mimic this, Ken used epoxy glue with powdered pigment, applying it meticulously to create realistic clusters of flyspecks 2. "I could duplicate them by making them up out of epoxy glue with powdered pigment in it," he shares, highlighting the lengths he went to perfect his craft 2.

   

Material Mastery

Ken's expertise in material manipulation allowed him to create convincing forgeries using entirely new materials. He mastered the art of relining, a technique that involved attaching a new canvas to an old painting to mimic age and authenticity 3. By perfecting this method, Ken could present his fakes as genuine antiques, fooling even the most discerning experts 3. "I perfected a way of mimicking that kind of a relining so that I could incorporate that on my own fakes," Ken explains, underscoring his innovative approach to art forgery 3.