Expert reveals secrets of art authentication

Learn how art detectives discern fakes and forgeries during the Massillon Museum’s Brown Bag Lunch on Tuesday, Jan. 23, beginning at 12:10 p.m. Doug Bort, founder and lead investigator of Odyssey Global Consulting LLC, will talk about detecting art and cultural property crimes. The event will conclude about 12:50 p.m. to accommodate guests on their lunch hours.

Prior to leading his own company, Bort spent 21 years as a special agent with the United States Customs Service and Homeland Security Investigations. An expert in the investigation of art and cultural property crimes, he conducted many international investigations and undercover operations. He has trained many fellow law-enforcement personnel on how to probe the truth in art and cultural property crimes.

In his presentation Bort will explore how some of the most successful forgers fooled the expert community and how to detect fakes and forgeries when examining artworks.

The Brown Bag Lunch series is free and open to everyone. Guests may bring lunch or purchase sandwiches, salad and smoothies at Greatness Cafe in the museum lobby. MassMu provides complimentary cookies and coffee for attendees. Galleries will be open before and after the Brown Bag Lunch.

MassMu is located at 121 Lincoln Way E. in downtown Massillon. A visit is always free. Free parking is available on adjacent streets and in nearby city lots. Call 330-833-4061 or visit www.massillonmuseum.org.