Two counterfeit Pablo Picasso prints have been sold at a Stuttgart auction house, while authorities managed to secure two additional forgeries before they could reach buyers, according to the Baden-Württemberg State Criminal Police Office (LKA). The incident is part of a larger international art fraud investigation involving professionally manufactured fake artworks. An Italian national is suspected of systematically introducing professionally produced forgeries of works from Pablo Picasso's renowned "Suite Vollard" series into the international art trade over a period of several years. The sophisticated operation targeted some of the most valuable prints in modern art history. According to the LKA, the forged paintings reached the Stuttgart auction house through this elaborate scheme. One of the sold works has since been confiscated from an art dealership in Worms, Germany, while the second piece is currently located in Austria. Authorities are working on recovering both items. In early July, the Italian Carabinieri unit responsible for protecting cultural heritage executed "measures" against the suspected man in Rome. However, police have not disclosed further details about the specific actions taken or the current status of the suspect. The investigation has revealed the devastating impact of art forgery on the legitimate art market. The fake Picasso works have reportedly destroyed business relationships and damaged the livelihoods of those involved in the art trade who unknowingly handled the counterfeit pieces. The Baden-Württemberg and Berlin State Criminal Police Offices have been involved in the investigation for several years, demonstrating the complex and long-term nature of art fraud cases. Working in close collaboration with the Picasso Museum in Münster, authorities were able to confirm the authenticity issues with the suspected works. The museum's expertise proved crucial in identifying the sophisticated forgeries. So far, a total of seven forged graphics have been secured by law enforcement, all of which have been linked to the accused individual and his network. This suggests a well-organized operation rather than isolated incidents of art forgery. The authentic "Suite Vollard" is one of Pablo Picasso's most significant graphic works, comprising 100 individual pieces that the legendary artist created between 1930 and 1937. The series was produced at the suggestion of art dealer and publisher Ambroise Vollard, and represents some of Picasso's most accomplished printmaking work. The series is highly valued in the international art market, making it an attractive target for forgers. This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by auction houses, galleries, and collectors in verifying the authenticity of high-value artworks, particularly those by renowned artists like Picasso whose works command premium prices at auction.