The UK native Greenhalgh began forging artwork as a child. As a young man in the early 1980s, Greenhalgh met an art restorer who purchased his copies, added fake provenances, and sold them on the market. Eventually, the pair had a falling out and Greenhalgh began selling his forgeries himself. Between 1980 and 2006, he created hundreds of masterful forgeries of paintings, sculptures, and artifacts in various styles. Artists he forged included Paul Gauguin and Leonardo da Vinci. He notably faked ancient art as well. In March 2006, Greenhalgh was arrested and sentenced to four years and eight months in prison. While in prison, he wrote a memoir titled A Forger’s Tale.
By Elliot Penn
Source:
Buffenstein, Alyssa. “5 Things to Know About Britain’s Most Notorious Art Forger.” Artsy. 31 May 2017. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/shaun-greenhalgh-notorious-art-forger-974735