Hoax
In 1998, Boyd published Nat Tate: An American Artist 1928-1960, which presents the paintings and tragic biography of a supposed New York-based 1950s abstract expressionist painter named Nat Tate, who actually never existed and was, along with his paintings, a creation of Boyd's. When the book was initially published, it was not revealed that it was a work of fiction, and some were duped by the hoax; it was launched at a lavish party, with excerpts read by David Bowie (who was in on the joke), and a number of prominent members of the art world claimed to remember the artist. It caused quite a stir once the truth was revealed.
The name "Nat Tate" is derived from the names of the two leading British art galleries: the National Gallery and the Tate Gallery.
Nat Tate also appears in Any Human Heart, also by Boyd, with a wry footnote to the 1998 book.
Read more about this topic: William Boyd (writer)