Top Art Crime (and Scandal) Podcasts to Listen To

The rise of art crime and scandal podcasts demonstrates how increasingly podcasts have made the intersection of crime and culture accessible to a broader, curious, audience. While some of the podcasts presented below are strictly about art crimes, forgeries, and thefts connected to art galleries, museums, or dealers, others focus more on unsolved or controversial cases and even attempt to reframe the writing of art history by bringing into the table gender and social issues. This variety reflects the appealing stories that emerge from the art world’s dark side and the complexities of its many players. Furthermore, it sheds light on what The Art Newspaper author Ben Lewis regards as “the less commercially compromised and more independent storytelling involved in podcast making.”

Art Fraud

"Art Fraud" is an engaging podcast that chronicles the downfall of the New York-based Knoedler Gallery due to a modern and contemporary art forgery scheme with multimillion-dollar repercussions. Written by Vanity Fair reporter Michael Shnayerson, based on his original article, and narrated by the unmistakable voice of actor Alec Baldwin, the podcast reveals the events that led to the gallery's collapse and raises questions about whether its director, Ann Freedman, was involved in the scheme. It includes interviews and insights from art experts and investigators, shedding light on the roles of individuals like Chinese artist and forger Pei-Shen Qian, former Knoedler employee Jaime Andrade, and the operation's mastermind, art dealer Glafira Rosales.

The podcast sheds light on the principles that guide the art market, a murky sector that relies heavily on trust and reputation—two factors that allowed this $80 million scheme to succeed for seventeen years. As reported by ArtNet News, Baldwin’s participation in the podcast may be influenced by his own dispute with art dealer Mary Boone, who allegedly passed off what Baldwin described as a duplicate painting by artist Ross Bleckner as an original. Although Boone denied the claims, the dispute was ultimately settled in Baldwin’s favor.

This podcast is presented by Cavalry Audio and iHeart Podcasts.

Art Bust

“Art Bust: Scandalous Stories of the Art World” is an investigative podcast series in which U.K. author Ben Lewis explores art scandals across various timeframes. Some episodes focus on well-known frauds, such as the story of former art dealer prodigy Inigo Philbrick, whose narrative was recently recounted by his friend Orlando Whitfield in the book All That Glitters. Interestingly, other episodes uncover lesser-known yet compelling forgery cases, like that of the eccentric forger of African American artist Clementine Hunter’s work. The two-episode series on Clementine Hunter is particularly recommended, as it introduces a revolutionary and talented artist of color who has only recently gained mainstream recognition.

The podcast is both entertaining and educational, offering a historical, social, and artistic introduction to each topic, seamlessly blending audio clips, interviews, and well-edited background music. Lewis’s first-hand knowledge of the art world enriches each brief but well-researched episode.

The podcast is executive-produced by Katrina Onstad, Kathleen Goldhar, USG Audio, and Antica Productions.

Last Seen

The first season of “Last Seen” explores the world-famous theft from the Gardner Museum in Boston, still considered the most significant art heist in recent history, involving thirteen irreplaceable artworks, including Rembrandt’s only seascape. Despite a $10 million reward, none of the stolen pieces have been recovered, making the podcast’s primary goal to uncover why there are still no strong leads in the case.

This ten-episode series was one of the first of its kind to gain widespread exposure, offering an appealing narrative and investigative look into the heist. It alternates between recreations of Isabella Gardner’s art collection, real-time narration from the museum, and interviews with reporters and investigators attached to the case for decades. Produced by WBUR Boston, a public radio station owned by Boston University, and The Boston Globe, the podcast has an intimate, locally knowledgeable feel. Highly recommended.

Death of an Artist

This podcast, produced by Pushkin Industries and Somethin’ Else, deserves special mention as each season focuses on women artists who were once overlooked by the mainstream.

Season 1: The Story of Ana Mendieta and Carl Andre

In the first season of the podcast, Art Curator Helen Molesworth explores the circumstances surrounding the death of Cuban artist Ana Mendieta. At the age of 36, she fell from a window of her 34th-floor New York apartment, raising questions about the possible involvement of her then-husband, the recently deceased artist Carl Andre. However, while it features the structure of a true crime podcast, Molesworth goes deeper and frames both the rise of Carl Andre in the New York art scene and Mendieta’s revolutionary practice, highlighting her contributions to contemporary art practices, which have only recently been recognized. While uncovering the turbulent relationship between the couple and the murder trial in which Andre was acquitted, it introduces the audience to the aftermath of Mendieta’s death, delving into Andre’s successful career despite the scandal and how Ana became a censored topic among the art circuit.

Molesworth, an art world insider, also speaks to the reassessment and increasing recognition Mendieta has received in recent years. For this reason, the podcast portrays both a historiographical approach to Mendieta’s legacy and captures the contradictions that form part of the art world, making it original and analytical in its approach to the subject. As revealed in this New York Times article, not everyone was happy with the podcast. Mendieta’s niece, who manages the artist’s estate, has repeatedly stood against the repetitive reenactment of her aunt’s death. However, since no law forbids this type of portrayal, Mendieta’s story will continue to be revisited. For instance, a limited series about Mendieta’s life, starring and produced by America Ferrera, is in the works.

Season 2: Krasner and Pollock

Hosted by Art Historian Katy Hessel, Season 2 explores the life of artist Lee Krasner, whose work was overshadowed by her husband, Jackson Pollock, and only gained recognition close to her death in 1984. Hessel examines Krasner’s role in promoting Pollock’s legacy after his untimely death in a car crash, providing a nuanced depiction of Pollock’s contributions, addictions, and personal life. This season raises important questions about how the contributions of visionary women artists, like Krasner, have often been overlooked in favor of their more famous male counterparts.

The Professor: The Hunt for the Mafia’s Missing Masterpiece

In this podcast, journalist Simon Willis investigates the story of William Veres, who was accused of operating a pan-European art-smuggling ring with ties to the Sicilian mafia. The narrative focuses on Veres’ attempt to recover a missing Caravaggio altarpiece, “The Nativity with St. Francis and St. Lawrence,” stolen from a Palermo church in 1969. The podcast highlights Veres’ journey, Dutch art detective Arthur Brand’s involvement, and the challenges they face while navigating the dangerous world of illegal art trading.

Although this podcast might not be as engaging as the others, it provides insight into the shadowy world of antiquity trading and the complexities of recovering stolen artworks.