TOM KEATING
Infamous Art Forger and Restorer
Tom Keating
1918 - 1984 Tom Keating was an infamous art forger and art restorer who reputedly forged the work of more than one hundred artists. He went to great lengths to generate misleading provenances for his paintings. This included acquiring old frames containing Christie's auction labels and installing new pictures in the style of the original artists. Keating's profession was art restoration but he also painted houses for additional income. Although he did exhibit his own work he was never successful in his own right and he remains famous for his forgeries to this day. Keating believed the art world to be corrupt with critics and dealers pursuing vested interests in declaring which art that should be valued and respected. His response to this was to forge in order to mislead the so-called experts. His plan was to undermine the system. He often incorporated clues into his work which he could subsequently expose as proof of his intentions. Keating's own favourite was Rembrandt, who's style he revered and copied. Henry Cooper, the boxer, was a collector of Keating's work as were other celebrities. Since his death his paintings have become increasingly sought after and now attain good prices at auction. PPTom Keating
This picture by Tom Keating, the infamous art forger, is after John Crome, founder of the Norwich School. It depicts cattle grazing in an open field on a blustery sunny day in the Norfolk flatlands, possibly with farm outbuildings in the background lining the horizon of the picture. Dashes of blue and water in the foreground seem to indicate the cattle are drifting aimlessly towards the flats and lowlands of the Broads. Keating specialised in his interpretation of these vast open low lying spaces, captivating the beholders eye, offering a sense of abandonment and freedom. This is a delightful picture which would equally grace home or boardroom. The picture is sold with a certificate of authenticity from the Sygun Museum of Wales. Click on picture to enlarge.| Tom Keating | ||
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Description | Cattle grazing in a Field |
| Image size | 8" x 5" | |
| Frame size | 13" x 10" | |
| Medium | Acrylic on paper | |
| Price | £390 | |
| Item number | keating001 | |
In 1976 Tom Keating became notorious for being exposed as having produced a series of drawings supposedly executed by Samuel Palmer. He was arrested on a charge of conspiracy to defraud and was committed to trial at the Old Bailey in London, England, where it was revealed that he had produced thousands of pictures after more than one hundred artists. In his defence Keating claimed that he forged the pictures as an expression of his contempt for the art establishment that valued art and artists in a shallow fashion. The case was finally dropped due to his poor health. Keating later appeared on television in the UK providing expert opinion on the techniques of past masters. Who better to provide such a commentary than the 'past master' himself? He also co-authored a book entitled 'The Fake's Progress'. PP
