Elisabeth Charlotta KARSTEN
1789–1856, Sweden/Russia

Oil on canvas, Composition with figures, signed "Karsten", 84x92 cm. Ostensibly representing an authentic painting by the artist Elisabeth Charlotta Karsten. The painting is part of a major fraud seizures of counterfeit art in Sweden known as ”The Society of Art Friends”: Three men, aged 30, 37, and 40 years old, were caught in Stockholm, Sweden after a reconnaissance tip from police in Ängelholm, Sweden. Shortly afterwards, another two men were caught. In total, 48 house searches were made through out the nation from which 83 forged paintings were confiscated. Forged art had already been sold for millions of Swedish crowns. Victims of the gang were well known businessmen with considerable incomes. League had good help from educated art experts who have written certificate of authenticity to many of the fake paintings, often at very small remuneration. On a door to a flat in Stockholm the men had displayed a sign with the text “The Society of Art Friends”. After an expert assessment and judgment declared that the painting is not genuine. It is a forgery.