Paintings by prolific art forger up for sale

He had the dubious reputation of being the world's most prolific art forger. Until his death, Eric Hebborn churned out works in the style of the old masters - Rubens, Van Dyck and even Michelangelo.

His paintings were so convincing he fooled experts in some of the top international galleries. But how did he do it?

Clues to the answer are revealed as some of his sketches go on auction tomorrow in Wiltshire. Here's Martin Dowse.

A haul of sketches and paintings by one of the world's most prolific art forgers - whose work was often described as more beautiful than the original, has been put up for sale.

Eric Hebborn duped art dealers and galleries world-wide with his paintings in the style of Renaissaince greats such as Rubens , Van Dyck, Corot and Michelangelo.

His work was so convincing that dealers sold them on as genuine originals, and much of his undetected work still hangs in galleries and museums around the world.