King's College London

Virgin and Child Forgery (?) in the manner of Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564)

• Red chalk, pen and brown ink, white opaque watercolour
• Princes Gate bequest, 1978

When this drawing first appeared with an art dealer in 1970, it was accepted by the leading Michelangelo experts as authentic. However, an anonymous phone call to The Courtauld in 1998 alleged this to be one of 11 works in the collection by notorious British forger Eric Hebborn (1934 –1996). Since then, opinions on its authenticity have been divided. Infrared photography has now revealed a drawing on the back of this sheet – the video below has the details.

Part of The Curiosity Cabinet exhibition 'FAKE OR REAL? - King's X The Courtauld Gallery'.