Intent
“Driven to a state of anxiety and depression due to the all-too-meager appreciation of my work, I decided, one fateful day, to revenge myself on the art critics and experts by doing something the likes of which the world has never seen before.”
Han van Meegeren
The intent to deceive is central to the creation of fakes and forgeries, but the motivation of the creator and the seller may vary. The underlying reason may be monetary gain, frustration that an artist's work is not appreciated, a strong desire to "fool the experts", or even a desperate need for attention.
Most collectors have been fooled at one time or another, especially if they are seeking something rare, unusual, or unique. For the passionate collector, it can be difficult to step back and analyze the intent of the person trying to sell an important object to enhance their collection or create an association with a famous artist, designer, or celebrity.
Why should collectors consider the motivation of sellers of art, antiques, and collectibles? When the work of a particular artist or designer achieves high prices at public auction or a major study of the work of a particular artist or artisan is published, many previously unknown works by that maker may suddenly appear on the market. Collectors should be aware of these trends and exercise due diligence before making such purchases.