24.

A soft-spoken librarian named
Yuan Xiao or Xiao Yuan,
is currently on trial in Guanzhou
for stealing hundreds of Chinese paintings
and replacing them with his own forgeries.
His defense is that this

happens all the time.

25.

In fact, Yuan’s fake copies were being
repeatedly stolen and replaced
with even faker copies.

In his testimony, he pleas
at least his were high quality.

26.

Yuan is considered a ‘master forger,’
the likes of which have

never

been seen before.

27.

Under capitalism, China’s skies
have flooded fast with art thieves.
The government has begun to prosecute
in order to
save face with western countries.

28.

Xiao was convicted as a
copycat
counterfeit
corrupt
capitalist
criminal.

Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi) (Italian, 1571–1610)

The Cardsharps, c. 1595
Oil on canvas

Collection of the Kimbell Art Museum