The Art Forger's Handbook (Hardcover)

by Eric Hebborn (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The international art world was plunged into turmoil when it was revealed in 1980 that many drawings previously attributed to artists as varied as Brueghel, Piranesi, Pontormo, Corot, and Augustus John were in fact the work of the English artist Eric Hebborn (1934-1996). Here, in The Art Forger's Handbook, compiled shortly before his mysterious and untimely death, Hebborn unpacks the secrets of his forging techniques. 64 illustrations.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Overlook Hardcover; Stated First Edition edition (July 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879517670
• ISBN-13: 978-0879517670
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,303,024 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a good introduction to art forgery for fun and profit...., January 2, 1998

By A Customer

Hebborn certainlly knew his stuff and succeeded in selling many of his "creations" through dealers such as London's Colnagi. If you are interested in the nuts and bolts of forging old masters, this will certainly get you started. Other good, though more technical, books to look at are Gettens and Stout (and don't overlook the bibliography) and the immortal Max Doerner. There are some errors in the book, e.g., bistre and orpiment are easily found, if you know where to look. Still, Hebborn writes with rare wit and, quite often, with more humor than you will find in most deliberately humorous books. Well, are ya gonna do it? Assuming, of course, you have the skill.... That's up to you and if this book has a weak spot, it is in its cloying self-justification for doing this.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Witty and funny, October 19, 2007

By	AJ (Boston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art Forgers Handbook (Paperback)

Be warned, this book contains a lot of recipes for art materials - so if you are reading just for the anecdotes you might be a bit lost in some of the process descriptions. However, Eric has done a wonderful job of weaving wit and humor into the text; it is never dry or technical. A painter looking for recipes to create decorative fakes will find this book useful, altho I think it is far too vague to provide any information to the serious forger. It excells in the anecdotes about Erics own forgeries, the art establishment, and the nature of collectors. I found myself laughing out loud at many points - a rare accomplishment for a book.

16 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The book with a catchy title, July 5, 2002

By	Kevin Goodman (Some where USA) - See all my reviews

The art forgers handbook is an intriguing confession. While having reference worthy material I would advise against
believing the book is the bible on the subject. Forgery involves a talent for broad and bizarre logic that involves not
only the crafting but also a mental empathy inside the universal mind of the collector, the dealer, and the expert.

As far as I'm concerned there are more valuable resources how ever there can be no complete source that one book
could provide and Hebborns books makes a decent edition. The real success in a forgers ability would be in there
logic and this is something that Hebborn can't teach. Hebborn never the less seems to be a master and his
confessions add light on how one might tackle the subject.

I do hold the book in high regards but in fact I have learned very little from it. A study in the history of artist
materials and techniques, conservation, authentication, and a study of how these have been flawed, artistic
competence in craft, creative logic, and ones own trial and error will be the only all inclusive bible into successful
forgeries.

The book has a catchy title, is informative and intriguing just don't be misled that the book will give you the ability
to turn Degas and Rembrants. In my opinion there is only an illusion when it comes to success in forgery. The real
success of the book is a demonstration that history is flawed and art; mystical and intriguing art is indeed a
commodity illusion and nobody in the field is safe if fakes are indeed fakes in what ever context a fake is regarded
in. If you are interested in the subject read the book it may after all have cost the artist his own life. Oh yeah, look for
my own book in two-three years!

Good luck