Nat Tate : an American artist, 1928-1960

The infamous literary hoax that fooled the art worldOn 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.