Art has been a subject of admiration in different periods of history. It was one of the main ways of self-expression and rendering of the surrounding reality. People who created it were highly valued by society. Usually, the artists are creative and inspired individuals who constantly introduce new and unique ideas. However, there are those who consider art just as a way to get rich. One of them is John Myatt from London who was convicted of art forging. What is his life story? How did he carry out his fraudulent activities? Learn more at londonski.
The unique talent of the artist
John Myatt was born into the family of a farmer in 1945. Although his family members weren’t related to creativity, the boy had a knack for art. He attended an art school and showed a remarkable talent for copying the styles of various artists. At first, it was an ordinary hobby, but later it became the first step towards his career as an artist. Indeed, John Myatt made fine-quality works back then. It also should be admitted that despite further forgeries, the artist performed a rather difficult job. It requires not only artistic skills and the ability to copy a work of art but also immersion in the history and the life of the original painting. A good copy can be created only on the condition of a deep understanding of the artist’s philosophy and intention. John Myatt worked quite transparently at the beginning of his creative career. He sold a lot of copies advertising them in Private Eye magazine.
Successful forgeries
John Myatt changed that measured way of life when he learned that one of his clients managed to sell his painting for £25,000. One of the London auction houses didn’t distinguish it from the original one. John really liked that profitable idea. Thus, he painted and successfully sold about 200 paintings, which were actually copies of the works of famous artists but presented as originals. In the 1990s, his fakes began to spread in various parts of London. Moreover, some works were sent for sale to France and the USA. However, despite the brilliant plan, well-coordinated actions and overall positive results, John was arrested in 1955. In the spring of 1996, the police conducted an investigation and found out all the details of the case. They found forged certificates of authenticity and other evidence in the gallery of the artist’s accomplice. In 1999, John Myatt was jailed for a year but was released after four months.
Apparently, that investigation made the artist even more famous. Previously, John managed to sell some copies from time to time, but after his imprisonment, he became known throughout the country. Many art connoisseurs were interested in a person whose fakes were indistinguishable from the original. Thus, John’s career became even more successful. While in prison, he created a lot of sketches with an ordinary pencil. Later, the artist presented a collection of his own forgeries in London. His works have become a real treasure for many collectors. The most popular were copies of paintings by famous impressionist and post-impressionist artists. John Myatt often created copies of Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet paintings. In general, the artist’s talent became known all over the world thanks to his forgeries. He even went down in history, like many other famous artists.