Subject Mathew Leininger, directors Jennifer Grausman, Sam Cullman, subject Mark Landis and editor Mark Becker from "Art and Craft", pose for a portrait at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival Getty Images Studio on April 18, 2014 in New York City. ; Credit: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Fe
Dubbed one of the most prolific art forgers in recent history, Mark Landis has fooled countless museums into hanging his replicas of famous paintings around the country. In the documentary “Art and Craft,” filmmakers Jennifer Grausman and Sam Cullman take audiences inside the mind of the artist who uses simple tools like colored pencils and chalk to recreate some of the world’s best known art pieces.
Often posing as a Jesuit priest with a large family estate, Landis has fooled many museums by giving away his work instead of selling it. Because he doesn’t make any profits, Landis has not been prosecuted under the law, which holds each art museum responsible for reviewing gifts of any caliber.
Grausman and Landis join us to talk about the artist’s battle with schizophrenia and the process of recreating works of art that continue to fool some of the country’s leading curators.
Guests:
Mark Landis, artist and subject of “Art and Craft”
Jennifer Grausman, one of the directors of “Art and Craft”