English Level:
intermediate
Content Warning:
crime
Vocabulary
I have chosen not to include the definitions here to give you the opportunity to find the information yourself. The information you find this way will stay with you longer. Please take the time to find out the meaning of the vocabulary.
Forgery
Misattribution
Blind spot
Lad
Car boot (British)
Hung up their boots
Authentication
Serving time
In circulation
Doodle
Canvas
Turn a blind eye
Forensics
Masterpiece
Schmuck
Due diligence
Flopped
Passable
Typical
Patina
Buyer beware
Miffed
Pre-Listening
These warmup questions are intended to introduce you to the topic
- What are the top 10 most expensive paintings of all time? Are they good? What do you think about the prices?
- What is the difference between mimicking and foraging?
- Can you be inspired by an artist and not plagiarize them?
- What is a “car boot market”?
- What is Billy’s favorite thing about the art world?
- British people use other terms for money. How much is 1 quid in won?
Listening
As you listen, try to answer these questions.
You may need to listen more than once.
- How much of the artworks in the world are fakes (%)?
- Why did Billy become a forger?
- What was David convicted of?
- Why did the sell their paintings using, “in the style of…”?
- Have they ever seen one of their forgeries in a catalogue?
- How can you get a painting past forensics?
- How do they make mails look rusty?
- How often does David paint?
- David was threatened by a buyer. What did the person say they were going to do?
Video
Post-Listening
Reflect on what you have learned.
- How can you spot a fake painting?
- Are you paying for the art, or the story of the piece?
- What makes a painting valuable?
- What should be the punishment for forgery?
- Identify at least one key issue from this video that you could research more.