Offering an exclusive glimpse into the captivating tales of ancient art and artifacts, Christine Maasdam (with broad experience in antiquities, art crime, and forgery) and Scott Jones (a Getty Villa docent) will present a unique perspective on ancient artifacts while delving into the realms of authenticity and counterfeits. Each class session will immerse the student in a comprehensive exploration of a single object, such as a statue, painting, vase, or other artifact, revealing the hidden narratives behind genuine art pieces and learning how similar items have been replicated, stolen, and traded in the art world. This course presents a dual perspective on the world of ancient objects and the shadowy underbelly of the contemporary art scene, focusing on those involved in trafficking stolen and counterfeit items.

When examining an object we will study the context, cultural importance, and techniques of the ancient artifact and then explain how experts use a multi-disciplinary approach to authenticate the art. We will look at the importance of ancient artifacts on our modern world as we develop an understanding of the legal and ethical consequences of art theft and forgery.

Bio:
Scott Jones is a retired naval officer and businessman with broad experience in national security, foreign relations, and politics. Scott is also a docent at the J. Paul Getty Museum (Getty Villa) where he leads tours in the Greek and Roman Galleries, special exhibitions, Roman architecture, and Roan gardens. He teaches for a few lifelong learning programs in the area.

Christine Maasdam holds a Master in Humanities and a B.A. in Cultural Geography. Her art studies include The Courtauld Institute of Art in London, The Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center in D.C. and Post Graduate studies in Antiquities Trafficking and Art Crime at the University of Glasgow. She is a graduate of the Art Crime Investigation Seminar led by Robert Wittman, founder of the FBI's National Art Crime Team. Christine is a member of the International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection and holds a certificate from Trident Manor on Protection of Cultural Venues. Christine received Sotheby’s certification on Determining Value: An Appraiser’s Perspective. She has spent over a decade as a LACMA docent and is an active volunteer at the City of David archaeological dig in Israel.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50+ years of age, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses (without the pressure of grades) for the sake of learning and social engagement.