Anthropology of Forgery. Multidisciplinary Approaches for Cultural Heritage Protection - Summer School 2026

Anthropology of Forgery


Humanities, Literature & Arts (General) Visual Arts Criminology, Criminal Law & Policing Ethics History Law Archaeology Culture



How much is the art and collectables market worth today? What mechanisms govern it? When do forgeries arise? How can they be identified? What tools do we have to protect art and cultural heritage from false histories, misattributions or attempts at deception? How should museums behave when faced with a donation of objects without provenance?



The International Summer School aims to address these questions through historical, anthropological, sociological, scientific, and criminological analyses of art forgery and cultural heritage protection.



The Summer School Program Highlights:



- 2 weeks, over 60 hours of seminar training and practical workshops

- 7 guided tours of cities (Venice, Vicenza, Padova) and museums

- international and multidisciplinary faculty

- participation of specialised companies and firms

- 1 digital space dedicated to students

- 1 designated tutor to support students

- time for discussion and networking

- expansion of soft and professional skills



Target:



Master's and PhD students, professionals of cultural institutions (museums, archives and libraries)

Minimum number of participants: 20

Maximum number of participants: 40



Course Leader:



Prof. Monica Salvadori, Vice Rector for Cultural Heritage, Unviersity of Padova



Dr. Luca Zamparo, University of Padova, Department of Cultural Heritage



Main topics:



1) Forgery and Cultural Professionals

2) The Status of Forgery

3) Archaeology vs. Forgery

4) Forgeries in Classics

5) Art History vs. Forgery

6) Market, Forgeries and Art Crimes

7) The Anthropological Value of Objects

8) Provenance Research

9) Detecting Forgeries. A Multidisciplinary Approach