Portuguese man arrested for forging works by Paula Rego and other artists while posing as a doctor

A 56-year-old Portuguese man has been arrested on art forgery charges after allegedly operating a forging studio in downtown Lisbon. Police suspect he produced over thirty paintings in the styles of deceased artists including Paula Rego, Manuel Cargaleiro, and Malangatana. The suspect posed as a medical doctor to gain client trust, despite having no medical qualifications, selling freshly-made works as historical pieces. One client reportedly paid €600 for a frame presented as historic that was actually sourced from a budget store. João Oliveira of the Polícia Judiciária told Publico that officers caught the man red-handed producing new forgeries of Rego and Cargaleiro works. During a raid, police seized additional sketches and paintings in the styles of Júlio Resende, Cesariny, Cruzeiro Seixas, and Cutileiro. The suspect has been released on bail. All artists whose styles were forged have died within the past decade.