Van Meegeren's Fake Vermeers

Wednesday I heard about an exhibit at the Museum Boijmans Von Beuningen in Rotterdam. Van Meegeran's Fake Vermeers is an exhibit of ten of Han van Meegeren's most famous forgeries, most of which were Vermeer forgeries. He had developed a very elaborate technique that managed to fool several experts. He managed to sell The Supper at Emmaus to the Boijmans for a fortune. His downfall came after World War II. Whatw was believed to be a Vermeer painting, Christ with the Adulteress was found among the art that Nazi Leader and Hitler's designated successor, Herman Göring, had looted from all over Europe. An authentic Vermeer what have been considered Dutch cultural property. The painting was traced back to Han van Meegeren and was arrested on suspicion of collaboration. He admitted to selling the painting but also confessed to having produced the forgery. His trial was worldwide news, while in custody he even produced a forgery, Young Christ. The conspiracy charges were dropped and he was sentenced to 1 year in prison for fraud and forgery. Soon after the verdict he fell ill and died so he never served his sentence. This really is a fascinating story and if you do go to the exhibit website, there is a 12 min ArtTube video that is really full of information. The exhibit is closing soon.