Nat Tate: An American Artist 1928-1960
Synopsis
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.
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
- ISBN: 9780241988879
- Number of pages: 80
- Weight: 72g
- Dimensions: 198 x 129 x 5 mm