FBI Seizes a Fake of Andrew Wyeth’s Painting "Snow Birds" from an Auction House

October 29, 2010

“David C Weiss, United States Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today the seizure of a fraudulent Andrew Wyeth painting from a New York auction house, and the seizure of Mesopotamian antiquities from a California antiquities dealer. The seizures resulted from two separate investigations. Forged Andrew Wyeth Painting Seized In July of this year, the United States Attorney’s Office, the FBI Wilmington Resident Agency, and the FBI Art Crime Team seized a forgery of Andrew Wyeth’s “Snow Birds.” The fraudulent painting is shown below. The fraudulent painting had been placed for sale at a major auction house in New York.

Initial estimates placed its value at between $300,000 and $500,000. Before any auction began, questions arose as to its authenticity. Using meticulous records of the original painting kept by the Andrew Wyeth office at the Brandywine River Museum, Mary Landa of that office was able to identify discrepancies showing that the painting was a skillfully executed forgery. Landa notified the United States Attorney’s Office and the painting was seized.”

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