Leo Martínez
Han van Meegeren was a Dutch painter who became one of the greatest art forgers of all time. He began his career as a legitimate artist, but struggled to make a name for himself and was dismissed by critics as unoriginal. In the first half of the 20th century, van Meegeren turned to creating forgeries of paintings by Vermeer, an artist whose work was highly coveted by collectors. He spent years studying Vermeer's paintings and learning how to replicate his style, even going so far as to create his own paint and canvases to match those used by Vermeer. He sold millions of dollars' worth of forgeries to collectors, and his talent for forgery was so great that he was even able to sell a fake Vermeer painting to the Nazis during World War II.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Han van Meegeren |
| Other Names | Johannes Vermeer, Hans van Meegeren |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Occupation | Painter, art forger, art dealer |
| Education | Royal Academy of Art in The Hague |
| Notable Forgeries | "Woman Taken in Adultery", "The Supper at Emmaus", "Christ at Emmaus", "The Last Supper" |
| Techniques | Quick-ageing of materials, use of authentic-seeming pigments, recreation of Vermeer's painting style and brush type |
| Motivation | Desire for fame and income, revenge against critics |
| Trial | Charged with treason for selling a forged Vermeer painting to a Nazi, but charges were dropped when he proved his skill by painting "Jesus Among the Doctors" under police supervision |
| Legacy | Inspired other forgers, including his son Jacques van Meegeren; his own work increased in value |
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What You'll Learn
Han van Meegeren, the master forger
Han van Meegeren was a Dutch painter who became one of the greatest art forgers of all time. He started out as a legitimate artist, but his work was dismissed by critics as lacking originality. In the first half of the 20th century, van Meegeren became a master forger, creating thousands of original paintings in diverse styles, including classical still lifes and impressionistic paintings. He was particularly skilled at copying the work of the Dutch painter Vermeer, who was revered as an Old Master at the time. Van Meegeren spent years in Nice, France, perfecting his forging techniques, including the use of the right paint, canvases, wood panels, and even a homemade brush similar to the one used by Vermeer. He also mastered the art of accelerating the ageing process of his paintings to make them appear more authentic.
Van Meegeren's talent for forgery extended beyond his technical skills. He understood the intangible qualities that art critics and experts were looking for in a Vermeer, and he provided them with the kind of paintings they were both hoping and expecting to discover. Many experts believed that there were likely many Vermeer paintings that had yet to be found, so van Meegeren created original works that he claimed were lost Vermeers. He sold the equivalent of $60 million worth of art to collectors under Vermeer's name.
One of van Meegeren's most infamous forgeries was "Woman Taken in Adultery", which he sold to the Nazis through a third party. When the Dutch government brought him to trial on charges of treason for dealing with the Nazis, van Meegeren confessed that the painting was a forgery and that he had tricked the Nazis. He painted a new work, "Jesus Among the Doctors", under police supervision to prove his claim, and the charges against him were dropped.
Despite his success as a forger, van Meegeren longed for recognition as a legitimate artist. After his trial, he declared, "My triumph as a counterfeiter was my defeat as [a] creative artist." Unfortunately, his own work only rose in price after he became known as a forger, which consequently made it worthwhile for other forgers to fake his paintings as well.
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Forgeries that tricked the Nazis
The story of Han van Meegeren is one of the most fascinating tales of art forgery, involving the Nazis and the Dutch painter Vermeer. Han van Meegeren went from being an overlooked young artist to a con man who tricked 20th-century art critics and stole from Nazis. He became one of the greatest art forgers of all time, studying Vermeer's paintings and creating works that resembled the master. He sold the equivalent of $60 million worth of art to collectors under Vermeer's name.
Van Meegeren chose Vermeer as the target of his forgeries because Vermeer paintings are rare and highly coveted by collectors. The tumultuous times of the late 1930s, with the threat of Nazi Germany, also made it easier for van Meegeren as there were fewer authentic Vermeer paintings for experts to compare his forgeries to. He spent years in Nice, developing the ultimate process to create the perfect fake. He gained the right paint, canvases, wood panels, and even recreated a homemade brush similar to Vermeer's. He also managed to accelerate the ageing process and create a plausible craquelure pattern.
Van Meegeren's most notable deception involved Hitler's right-hand man, Herman Göring. He sold Göring a forged Vermeer painting, "Christ with the Woman Taken in Adultery", which was a national treasure in the Netherlands. When the Allies traced the painting back to van Meegeren, he was arrested and charged with collaborating with the Nazis. However, he argued that he was a hero for fooling the Nazis into buying fakes and claimed that he had traded the painting for over 100 Dutch artworks, saving them from Nazi looting. To prove his claims, van Meegeren painted "Jesus Among the Doctors" under police supervision, resulting in the charges against him being dropped.
Van Meegeren's trial for forgery and fraud dragged on for two years, and he gained the notoriety and admiration he had long desired. He was sentenced to prison time, but he died of a heart attack before his sentence began.
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Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri, a highly forged painter
Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri, a renowned Australian painter, is considered one of the most collected and celebrated Australian Aboriginal artists. He is known for his mastery of wood carving and painting, with his works held in prominent galleries and collections worldwide. However, Tjapaltjarri also gained notoriety as a highly forged painter, with his name being used to sign other artwork by Aboriginal artists.
Born in Tjuirri, northwest of Alice Springs, Tjapaltjarri had a traditional bush upbringing. He began his artistic career in the 1950s as a wood carver, creating intricate carvings of snakes and goannas. In the early 1970s, he joined the Papunya Tula School, a group of 'dot and circle' painters, and quickly distinguished himself as one of its most talented members. Tjapaltjarri's innovative use of space and atmosphere in his paintings set him apart from his contemporaries. He served as the chairman of Papunya Tula from the 1970s to the 1980s and played a pivotal role in the Aboriginal Art Movement.
Tjapaltjarri's works are celebrated for their brilliant manipulation of three-dimensional space and strong figurative elements that stand out against highly descriptive backgrounds. His paintings often depicted the Dreaming Trails that crisscross the area north of the western McDonnell Ranges, reflecting his deep connection to his country. The diversity of the landscapes he lived in is reflected in the broad range of subjects and themes explored in his artwork.
Despite his immense talent and contributions to the art world, Tjapaltjarri's work attracted forgeries, and his name was used to sign other artists' works without his consent. This practice of misattribution is a form of art forgery that has plagued the art world for centuries, with famous artists like Michelangelo and Vermeer also being implicated in forgery scandals. Art forgeries can have damaging consequences, leading to misinterpretations and disruptions in the art market.
In the case of Tjapaltjarri, the forgeries may have resulted from the growing demand for Indigenous art since the 1950s and 1960s, coupled with his own artistic renown. His works continue to draw increasing attention posthumously, with his painting "Warlugulong" auctioned by Sotheby's in 2007. The authentication of his paintings and the exposure of forgeries are ongoing processes, ensuring that Tjapaltjarri's legacy as a master Indigenous Australian painter is protected and rightfully recognised.
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Robert Driessen, the prolific Dutch art forger
Robert Driessen is a prolific Dutch art forger who gained notoriety for his imitations of well-known artists' works. Driven by a sense of revenge against a system that failed to recognise his talent, Driessen started by creating variations on the works of Expressionists and crafting obscure versions of originals. Over time, he transitioned to producing entirely new paintings in the style of renowned artists.
Driessen found commercial success in the late 1980s when he shifted his focus to sculpture, specialising in imitating the style of Alberto Giacometti. He forged at least a thousand sculptures, according to police estimates, though Driessen himself claims the number is much higher. He replicated the long, thin figures and crumbly surfaces characteristic of Giacometti's work, signing his forgeries with his own name.
Driessen's talent lay not only in his technical ability but also in his understanding of the art world and the qualities experts sought in the artists he forged. Like Han van Meegeren, another renowned Dutch forger, Driessen chose to replicate artists with a mysterious air, whose lives were not well documented, and whose unknown works could be claimed as discoveries.
Driessen's activities eventually landed him in prison, but he has since been released and now resides in Thailand, beyond the reach of European authorities. He continues to produce and sell original reproductions, signed by him, no longer attempting to pass them off as the works of other artists. While he no longer forges, Driessen has expressed his ambivalence about the practice, acknowledging the fascination it holds for many.
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Michelangelo, a forger himself
In the late 15th century, Michelangelo was a young artist trying to make a name for himself. He studied under Lorenzo de Medici and soon displayed incredible talent. However, art buyers at the time were obsessed with classical art, which gave Michelangelo an idea. He created a sculpture of a sleeping Cupid, artificially aged it, and sold it as an antique to an Italian Cardinal, Raffaele Riario, through the art dealer Baldassare del Milanese.
Michelangelo's deception was eventually discovered, but instead of ruining his career, the Cardinal was impressed by his talent and became his first patron in Rome. This story showcases how Michelangelo's early foray into art forgery helped propel him to fame and fortune, solidifying his reputation as a great artist. It also highlights the artistic environment of the Renaissance, where originality was not yet valued, and artists were praised for their ability to emulate masters.
Michelangelo's skill as a forger was not limited to the sleeping Cupid sculpture. He is also rumoured to have created the famous statue of Laocoön and his Sons, which is believed to be a Greek antique. This suspicion arose due to early sketches by Michelangelo that resemble the statue and its discovery in the backyard of one of his close friends. While the legitimacy of this claim is questionable, it demonstrates how Michelangelo's past as a forger has aroused suspicion around the authenticity of other great works.
Michelangelo's involvement in art forgery provides an interesting contrast to the Western world's modern perspective on forgeries. Today, the art market heavily values originality, and being labelled as "derivative" is considered a harsh critique. Michelangelo's success, despite his early forgery, highlights a shift in artistic values over time.
In conclusion, Michelangelo's story as a forger himself is intriguing. His ability to create convincing forgeries of classical sculptures not only established his career but also showcases the Renaissance appreciation for emulation. The sleeping Cupid incident, in particular, serves as a fascinating example of how an art forgery can lead to unexpected patronage and fame, shaping the trajectory of an artist's life and their subsequent impact on the art world.
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Frequently asked questions
Han van Meegeren is considered one of the greatest art forgers of all time. He created forgeries of Johannes Vermeer's masterpieces, tricking even the most astute art connoisseurs.
Han van Meegeren achieved notoriety for his forgeries of Vermeer's paintings. He sold detailed forgeries to unknowing buyers, reaching the equivalent of $60 million for six fake Vermeers.
John Myatt, Wolfgang Beltracchi, Ken Perenyi, and Elmyr de Hory are some other notable forgers who have achieved notoriety.
Art forgers may try to create a "new" work by combining elements of multiple works. They may also omit details typical of the artist they are imitating or add anachronisms to claim that the forged work is a slightly different copy.
People create art forgeries for various reasons, including financial gain, exposing the credulity of the art world, or as a reaction to the art world's tendency to value expert opinion over scientific analysis.
