The woman who enters the New York gallery is Ann Freedman, a respected art dealer who worked for the prestigious Knoedler Gallery. She presents a collection of paintings attributed to some of the most iconic artists of the 20th century, including Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock, and Willem de Kooning. The paintings are supposedly part of a private collection that belonged to a wealthy collector who wants to remain anonymous.
The art world is mesmerized by the discovery, and the paintings are considered a sensation. Freedman makes a series of sales, with some paintings fetching as much as $14 million. However, doubts about the authenticity of the paintings arise, and some experts question whether the paintings were indeed painted by the artists to whom they were attributed.
The documentary examines the events that led to one of the biggest art cons in history. It explores how a group of sophisticated art forgers managed to create paintings that fooled even the most knowledgeable art experts, and how gallery owners, collectors, and auction houses were deceived. It also sheds light on the legal battles that followed the scandal and the impact it had on the art world.
Through interviews with art experts, gallery owners, and lawyers, Made You Look exposes the greed, willfulness, and criminal activity that led to the fake art being sold at inflated prices. The documentary offers a cautionary tale for anyone involved in the art world and raises important questions about the value and authenticity of art.
