Icilio Federico Joni (1866 - 1946)

Icilio Federico Joni (1866 - 1946) - photo 1

Icilio Federico Joni

Icilio Federico Joni was an Italian artist known for his exceptional talent in producing forgeries, particularly of Quattrocento paintings. Born in Siena in 1866, Joni's career in art forgery began in a gilding shop, where he honed his skills with wood, plaster, and paint. His forgeries were so convincing that they made their way into renowned collections and questioned the boundaries between counterfeit and creative artistry.

Icilio Federico Joni's works include not only paintings but also forged book covers, imitating the historic Biccherne covers from Siena. His creations, like the Madonna with Child, Saint Mary Magdalene, and Saint Sebastian, showcase his profound ability to adopt and adapt the styles of historic Sienese painters like Neroccio di Bartolomeo and Matteo di Giovanni, infusing them with his own interpretations and variations.

Despite the initial secrecy surrounding his forgeries, Icilio Federico Joni's desire for recognition led him to openly discuss his deceptions in his autobiography. His techniques in aging his creations were so meticulous that they often confused even expert art historians, adding a layer of complexity to the debate over his legacy as either a master forger or a creative genius in his own right.

Joni's story is not just a tale of deception but also a commentary on the art market's vulnerabilities and the thin lines between imitation, inspiration, and fraud. For art collectors and experts, his life and works serve as a fascinating study in the dynamics of authenticity and value in the art world​​​​​​.

For those intrigued by the enigmatic world of art forgeries and the exceptional craftsmanship of Icilio Federico Joni, we invite you to sign up for updates. By subscribing, you'll receive notifications about new discoveries, exhibitions, sales, and auction events related to Joni's works and the fascinating realm of art history. Stay informed and delve deeper into the intriguing stories of art and authenticity.

Date and place of birt:18 july 1866, Siena, Italy
Date and place of death:23 january 1946, Siena, Italy
Nationality:Italy
Period of activity: XIX, XX century
Specialization:Artist, Painter, Restorer
Art school / group:Italian school
Genre:Religious genre

Creators Italy

Giuseppe Bernardino Bison (1762 - 1844)
Giuseppe Bernardino Bison
1762 - 1844
Pier Maria Pennacchi (1464 - 1514)
Pier Maria Pennacchi
1464 - 1514
Carlo Scarpa (1906 - 1978)
Carlo Scarpa
1906 - 1978
Nicolas Vleughels (1668 - 1737)
Nicolas Vleughels
1668 - 1737
Carl Philipp Fohr (1795 - 1818)
Carl Philipp Fohr
1795 - 1818
John Partridge (1789 - 1872)
John Partridge
1789 - 1872
Nicola Simbari (1927 - 2012)
Nicola Simbari
1927 - 2012
Lella Vignelli (1934 - 2016)
Lella Vignelli
1934 - 2016
Andrea Appiani (1754 - 1817)
Andrea Appiani
1754 - 1817
Francesco Noletti (1611 - 1654)
Francesco Noletti
1611 - 1654
Giovanni Carlo Aliberti (1662 - 1727)
Giovanni Carlo Aliberti
1662 - 1727
Ugo Carà (1908 - 2004)
Ugo Carà
1908 - 2004
Giovanni Stradone (1911 - 1981)
Giovanni Stradone
1911 - 1981
Livio Mehus (1630 - 1691)
Livio Mehus
1630 - 1691
Pietro Santi Bartoli (1635 - 1700)
Pietro Santi Bartoli
1635 - 1700
Carlo Saraceni (1579 - 1620)
Carlo Saraceni
1579 - 1620

Creators Italian school

Martine Bedin (1957)
Martine Bedin
1957
Giovanni di Ser Giovanni Guidi (1406 - 1486)
Giovanni di Ser Giovanni Guidi
1406 - 1486
Pietro Negri (1628 - 1679)
Pietro Negri
1628 - 1679
Alfredo Caldini (XIX century - ?)
Alfredo Caldini
XIX century - ?
Marcello Fantoni (1915 - 2011)
Marcello Fantoni
1915 - 2011
Sabino Ventura (1935)
Sabino Ventura
1935
Michelangelo Anselmi (1492 - 1556)
Michelangelo Anselmi
1492 - 1556
Giovanni Battista Franco (1510 - 1561)
Giovanni Battista Franco
1510 - 1561
Monte di Giovanni del Fora (1448 - 1533)
Monte di Giovanni del Fora
1448 - 1533
Vicente Carducho (1576 - 1638)
Vicente Carducho
1576 - 1638
Antonio Citterio (1950)
Antonio Citterio
1950
Alessandro Mazzucotelli (1865 - 1938)
Alessandro Mazzucotelli
1865 - 1938
Paolo Anesi (1697 - 1773)
Paolo Anesi
1697 - 1773
Dyalma Stultus (1901 - 1977)
Dyalma Stultus
1901 - 1977
Alfredo Protti (1882 - 1949)
Alfredo Protti
1882 - 1949
Nicolò Barabino (1832 - 1891)
Nicolò Barabino
1832 - 1891
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