Forger claims he is the artist behind $200 million da Vinci painting
<p>A convicted forger has claimed that he is the artist behind a 15th century portrait attributed to Leonardo Da Vinci that has been valued at around $200 million and that rather than a European noblewoman, the subject is actually a checkout operator from Bolton.</p>
<p>This is the startling claim made by British forger Shaun Greenhalgh in the book A Forger's Tale. Mr Greenhalgh has served nearly five years in prison for forgery in the past.</p>
<p>The sketch was sold to a private collector in 2007 for $30,000, but has since been valued at approximately $209 million by noted da Vinci expert Martin Kemp.</p>
<p><img width="300" height="399" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11635/da-vinci.jpg" alt="Da Vinci" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p>
<p>The work has been mired in controversy, and this latest incident is not going to help. Mr Greenhalgh suggests he was able to fool high-tech dating technology by digging up his own clay and using charcoal from ancient tress.</p>
<p>And as for the subject of the painting, who was working a co-op supermarket? Mr Greenhalgh suggests, “Despite her humble position, she was a bossy little bugger and very self-important.”</p>
<p><strong>Related links:</strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/entertainment/art/2015/12/preserve-tattoos-after-you-die/"><strong>One can now keep tattoos forever</strong></a></em></span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/entertainment/art/2015/11/fulvio-obregon-contrasting-celebrity-drawings/"><strong>Celebrities drawn next to their younger selves</strong></a></em></span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/entertainment/art/2015/11/famous-painting-cakes/"><strong>Amazing cakes inspired by famous paintings</strong></a></em></span></p>
