Before Englishman John Myatt became a forger, he started out as an art instructor. His career as a criminal forger began in 1985. That year, John Drewe, a friend and patron, sold at Christie’s for £25,000 a work by Myatt in the style of Albert Gleizes. Drewe asked Myatt to create more forgeries. Myatt agreed and the duo formed an art forgery ring. Myatt produced the art, Drewe created fake provenances and brought the forgeries to the open market. They made a fortune selling their forgeries to auction houses and dealers for a decade. The operation came to a screeching halt in 1995 when Drewe’s ex-girlfriend alerted the authorities. Drewe was sentenced to six years in English prison. Myatt received one year. Today, Myatt makes a living as a professional artist. He produces and sells original paintings in the style of famous artists.
By Elliot Penn
Source:
“About.” John Myatt: The Artist. https://www.johnmyatt.com/about/ [accessed 8 May 2021]