A PICTURE inspired by one of the most ingenious art forgers of the 20th century has won Britain’s biggest painting competition.
Spectrum Jesus by Keith Coventry beat nearly 3,000 entries to clinch first place in the £25,000 John Moores Painting Prize.
The Burnley-born artist based the work, a blue monochrome depicting the face of Christ, on Han van Meegeren’s notorious forgeries of the 17th century Dutch master Johannes Vermeer.
He was awarded the prize at a ceremony held at Liverpool’s Walker Art Gallery last night.
Coventry, who first entered the John Moores Prize 30 years ago, said it had been worth the wait.
He said: “This is a validation of years of work.
“I have entered a number of times and one 10 years ago was included in the exhibition."
Four runner-up paintings were also selected from the 45 short-listed works on display at the Walker as part of Liverpool’s Biennial festival of contemporary art.
The four runners up – Manchester-born Philip Diggle, South African-born Nick Fox, Nicholas Middleton and Daniel Sturgis, both from London - eached received £2,500.
