Eric Hebborn after Peter Breughel the Elder

Forgery Interest

Eric Hebborn was a skilful artist who turned to a lucrative career in forgery at the earliest opportunity. Born into a family of many siblings, he was soon removed into borstal at the tender age of 8 for burning down his school. His talent for painting was spotted by his teachers though, and he made his way, via Chelmsford and Walthamstow art schools, to study at the Royal Academy Schools. He won many prizes at the Academy, including the prized Rome Scholarship in Engraving in 1959. His two year study at the British School at Rome, where he met senior art world figures such as Sir Anthony Blunt, established the already prodigious talent which he would only ever use to nefarious ends.

Artist
Eric Hebborn
After
Peter Breughel the Elder
Title
The Massacre of the Innocents
Medium
Wood engraving
Date
1956
Edition
Only a few private impressions of this engraving were ever taken, this example is believed to be the only surviving copy
Inscriptions
Signed, titled and extensively inscribed by the artist in pencil
Image
10.6 x 15.4 cms
Sheet
27.0 x 28.0 cms approx. (not recorded out of frame)
Provenance
Acquired directly from the artist by the present owner
Literature
Eric Hebborn, Drawn to Trouble, London, 1991, illus. p.95, Fig. 19
Exhibitions
Society of Wood Engravers annual exhibition, London, 1958(?)
Notes
Framed
Reference
CC12-24