The infamous literary hoax that fooled the art world
On January 8 1960, artist Nat Tate set out to burn his entire life's work. Four days later he jumped off a Staten Island ferry, killing himself. His body was never found.
When William Boyd published his biography of Abstract Expressionist Nat Tate, tributes poured in from a whole host of artists and critics in the New York art world. They toasted the troubled genius in a Manhattan launch party attended by David Bowie and Gore Vidal.
But Nat Tate never existed. The book was a hoax.
Will Boyd's biography of a fake artist is a brilliant probe into the politics of authenticity and reputation in the modern art scene. It is a playful and intelligent insight into the fascinating, often cryptic world of modern art.
| ISBN: | 9780241988879 |
| Publication date: | 27th August 2020 |
| Author: | William Boyd |
| Publisher: | Penguin Books an imprint of Penguin Books Ltd |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 128 pages |
| Genres: |
Biographical fiction / autobiographical fiction Modern and Contemporary Fiction Humorous Fiction |
The infamous literary hoax that fooled the art world
On January 8 1960, artist Nat Tate set out to burn his entire life's work. Four days later he jumped off a Staten Island ferry, killing himself. His body was never found.
When William Boyd published his biography of Abstract Expressionist Nat Tate, tributes poured in from a whole host of artists and critics in the New York art world. They toasted the troubled genius in a Manhattan launch party attended by David Bowie and Gore Vidal.
But Nat Tate never existed. The book was a hoax.
Will Boyd's biography of a fake artist is a brilliant probe into the politics of authenticity and reputation in the modern art scene. It is a playful and intelligent insight into the fascinating, often cryptic world of modern art.
Nat Tate features in the following genres: Biographical fiction / autobiographical fiction, Modern and Contemporary Fiction, Humorous Fiction
Nat Tate is available in Paperback, Hardback
Nat Tate was written by William Boyd and published by Penguin Books an imprint of Penguin Books Ltd
Nat Tate has 128 pages
£8.99