Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

How a Forger Fooled Vermeer-Lovers

20th-century painter made millions and tricked a powerful Nazi

By Sam Biddle, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 13, 2008 12:23 PM CDT

(Newser) – Johannes Vermeer created only a few dozen paintings in his lifetime, while other major 17th-century artists cranked out 10 times that. That helped a mediocre Dutch painter create convincing forgeries in the 20th century, NPR reports in a look at a new book on one of art's great hoaxes and its undoing.

Han van Meegeren perfected a technique to artificially age his paintings, using melted plastic and a pizza oven, and painted with intentional inaccuracy so as to avoid close inspection by art experts. His fakes were wildly popular among art lovers and historians, as well as Germany's second-most-powerful Nazi, whom van Meegeren took particular pleasure in duping.

"Kitchen Maid," by Johannes Vermeer. (Flickr)

"Girl with a Pearl Earring," by Johannes Vermeer. (Flickr)

Johannes Vermeer's "Girl with the Red Hat." (Flickr)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Painter Cy Twombly Dead at 83

Once-criticized American artist ended up among the greats

(NEWSER) - Cy Twombly, a renowned abstract painter once slammed by critics, has died at 83 in Rome. No cause has been given, though the American artist had cancer, the New York Times reports. Twombly’s work, full of scribbles and scratches, at first earned him harsh words from art critics. But he largely ignored them and kept to himself, and by the 1990s was established as one of the top American abstract painters of the 20th century. More»

Artists Get What They Want by Painting It

New York couple makes wanting an art form

(NEWSER) - When Justin Gignac and Christine Santora wanted a pair of gold aviators, they painted a picture of the sunglasses and sold it for $243.84—then went out and bought the pair, for $243.84. The New York artists have amassed other luxuries, like dinner at Nobu, in the same fashion—but have also raised money for charities and Barack Obama, the Independent reports. More»

Art World Still Divided on Wyeth

Some call him modern; others, 'corny Americana'

(NEWSER) - Andrew Wyeth divided the art community throughout his life, and little seems to have changed with his passing yesterday. While many in the field call him one of the most important 20th-century American artists, others insist his mode of realism makes him more of an illustrator than a serious painter, the New York Times reports, and his work "corny Americana." Those critics see his most famous painting, “Christina’s World,” as simply a “mandatory dorm room poster.” More»

Painter Andrew Wyeth Dead at 91

'Polarizing' Pennsylvanian known for 'Christina's World'

(NEWSER) - Andrew Wyeth, a painter both celebrated and scorned in the art community, has died at 91 at his home outside Philadelphia. In his paintings, the “polarizing” figure depicted a rural America of fallow fields, faded colors, and weather-beaten people, writes Michael Kimmelman in the New York Times. He was vastly popular with the public while critics generally attacked him, “saying he gave realism a bad name.” His painting Christina’s World, however, was iconic. More»

Louvre May Have Found New Leonardo Sketches

Three drawings found on back of painting

(NEWSER) - Curators from the Louvre have discovered three sketches on the back of Leonardo da Vinci’s oil painting "Virgin And Child With St Anne" that may be by the master himself, the AFP reports. Museum workers noticed two barely visible sketches, of a horse’s head and a human skull, when the painting was being moved. Further examination uncovered a third sketch, of a baby Jesus and lamb. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

How a Forger Fooled Vermeer-Lovers

20th-century painter made millions and tricked a powerful Nazi

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

crime • art • painting • artist • hoax • forgery • Jan Vermeer

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Painter Cy Twombly Dead at 83

Once-criticized American artist ended up among the greats

Artists Get What They Want by Painting It

New York couple makes wanting an art form

Art World Still Divided on Wyeth

Some call him modern; others, 'corny Americana'

Painter Andrew Wyeth Dead at 91

'Polarizing' Pennsylvanian known for 'Christina's World'

Louvre May Have Found New Leonardo Sketches

Three drawings found on back of painting

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

How a Forger Fooled Vermeer-Lovers

20th-century painter made millions and tricked a powerful Nazi

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

crime • art • painting • artist • hoax • forgery • Jan Vermeer

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Painter Cy Twombly Dead at 83

Once-criticized American artist ended up among the greats

Artists Get What They Want by Painting It

New York couple makes wanting an art form

Art World Still Divided on Wyeth

Some call him modern; others, 'corny Americana'

Painter Andrew Wyeth Dead at 91

'Polarizing' Pennsylvanian known for 'Christina's World'

Louvre May Have Found New Leonardo Sketches

Three drawings found on back of painting

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?