Erik the Belgian master forger

REAL name Rene Alphonse van de Berghe, but better known as Erik the Belgian is considered one of the best art forgers in the world, and, after three decades of living in Malaga, he is now exhibiting some of his more recent work in Marbella.

 The Excellent Art Gallery, recently opened in Marbella Old Town is the venue for this original exhibition named ‘Art through the Centuries’, which is open until March 19. The artist attended the opening of the exhibition together with art director Giuseppe Carnevale and Marbella Mayor Jose Bernal.

Among the pictures that make up this exhibition there are examples of the most famous paintings in art history: the Mona Lisa, by Da Vinci and Basket of Fruit by Caravaggio.

Both are exact copies of the originals, and show the great painting skills which made Erik the Belgian one of the most outstanding forgers of the 20th century, said Carnevale.