In essence, our knowledge about the artist today is no different from that which was say, a Torah-Byurzhera, Vermeer opened to the public in the last quarter of the 19 century. On the day segodnyaschny know about 30 works by the artist, while specialists with strict atributatsionnymi krtieriyami further restrict their number.
Creative and personal biography Vermeer remains to this day (and one might think, will always remain) a mystery. In particular, it is unknown where and with whom he studied Vermeer, whether he was in Italy, who of artists influenced him, did not survive a single figure of Vermeer. Being the master guild of St. Luke at Delft, he was obliged to have students, but do not know a single student Vermeer. Nor is there a chronology of creation, although based on stylistic analysis of works by A. Willock was trying to restore it.
As for the success of forgery shrew, we can say this.
From the early works of the artist known for "Diana and the Nymphs" (signed), "Christ in the House of Martha and Mary" (signed), "Summary" (signed), and attributed A. Willock copy with Felice Fikerelli "Holy Praksedis" (the latter is not All experts agree unconditionally) and preserved in name only "Wives, Women at the Sepulchre."
Thus, today there are only three absolutely reliable work of the early period, with the plot and technically they differ among themselves.
For example, the manner of "Christ in the house of Martha and Mary" is very different from the manner of "composite", which, of course, very difficult stylistic analysis.
The emergence of "Christ at Emmaus" virago perfectly formed the general background art history theories of his time. Karavadzhistskaya composition and chiaroscuro techniques gave rise to talk of a possible visit to Italy, or at least, of Utrecht, in addition, and this is important, they gave reason to believe Vermeer Catholic (as in the Netherlands there is some competition between Catholics and prtestantami). The inclusion of "Christ at Emmaus" in the body of works of Vermeer, thus allowing complete a sufficient number of gaps in the biography of the artist, well, and modest artistic quality of the attribution of student's period.

In general, the story of Vermeer absolutely incredible: in the XVIII century, his works attributed to Rembrandt (while for us to clear a huge difference between these artists).

At the end of XVIII century Vermeer opened Charles Le Brun (Charles "Le Brun), husband of artist Elizatet Vigee-Lebrun, a famous playboy, red tape, and art dealer.

But then it you can imagine, once again forgotten (just as a peasant, who was lying in hospital next to the one my friend: he had drunk had fallen from the 9 th floor at 3-d it "caught but not kept; result - fell in the snow, broke his little finger)!

Then - see an excellent post in Leningrad.

As this stuff could be taken for Vermeer - this riddle!

  Another great book about Meegerene - "The Double Life Vermeer" Moscow publishing house "hummingbird.
This artistic biography Vermeer, Van Meegerena and even Hermann Goering, interwoven in a detective plot. And yet, this meditation on the fate of an artist in the world, as well as professional analysis of the works of great Dutch master.

"In this subtle way, he decided to take revenge - and revenge - iskusstvoedam and critics, who did not want to recognize the talent Meegerenazhivopistsa, but they made a fake proclaimed masterpieces."
From the annotations to the book ..
(Thin transparent) understood the hint ...

Han van Meegeren Antonius
 

"Washing of the Feet" (Vermeer)


Just one of the worst fakes Meegerena, was bought by the Dutch government, through the Dealer De Boer (P. de Boer) and the number of intermediaries, one of whom, Jan Kok (Jan Kok) was knowledgeable in the art so much that did not even know the name of Vermeer and had never seen his paintings.
One member of a government commission said that a fake picture, but despite that has been allocated the required amount and the painting was bought for 1.3 million guilders (£ 3.2 million) for Riksmuzeuma (Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam)

The Washing of the Feet 115 x 95 cm, oil on canvas, painted around 1942-43

only want words Gurieva result:

"Washing of the Feet.

What kind of clumsy, the same type face.

As this could not accept the fact that for Vermeer, but in general for painting?

About the anatomy of "artist" like never heard.

And then the time Vermeer canvas (and paints, pigments, too ... .. they nails a frame .. and even a hammer, which vermeerovskie nails were killed, too, that time was so-mikrosledov advanced metal alloys, God forbid no more ...)

Han van Meegeren Antonius
 

"Isaac blessing Jacob" (Vermeer)


The painting was sold at the 1942nd year, with detailed expert opinion, through an agent Straybisa (Strijbis) and dealer Hogendeyka (Hoogendijk) of a wealthy industrialist Van der Worm (W. van der Worm) of 1,270,000 guilders (£ 3,000,000)

 The Blessing of Jacob 125 x 115 cm, oil on canvas, painted around 1941-42

Striking plaster clothing character with a gray beard.

Tjutchev,
Igor Guriev,
Yes, they're all blinded by profits and not seen that sell?
Or rather they pretended not to understand.

I think not.

Bredius quite seriozno delirious.

Tomorrow I shall return to this issue, right now it's time to sleep.

uriart, «profits, of course, played a major role, but this is not the only factor influenced the decision to buy. In each case, in addition to the direct interest of individuals, there was something else that makes people believe that in front of them original Vermeer. In such grand scams like this all play their part, any trifle. A lot of great and not so episodes have developed into a single mosaic of events. Another important factor was, and that historical epoch on the ground, where all this happened.
Of course, similar fraud occurring and will occur as long as there is always the art market, but it Meegerena still has signs of uniqueness, which were formed under the influence of many factors in exceptional circumstances. This is not to say that the scam of this magnitude can not happen or not happen now, but it will be another story. Other unique scam.

"Full bredius!"
 

"In 1899 to Brediusu, who was already in the infallibility of estimates was nicknamed" the Pope ", asked the collector of Russian Dmitry Shchukin, brother of the famous collector of Impressionists. He showed the picture of the Dutchman" Allegory of Faith, "which found an antique shop during his visit in Europe, and asked, not whether it is Vermeer? Bredius mocked the naive seeker of masterpieces, and advised as soon as possible to sell a mediocre thing. Shchukin obey an authoritative expert, and put it up for sale in Germany. What a surprise it was Russian collector, got word that the picture only 700 stamps bought himself Bredius. But even more surprised Shchukin, when the "Pope" declared "Allegory of Faith" the work of Wermer. Russia has lost a unique opportunity to get a picture of the great Dutchman. Bredius, to give his behavior patriotic character, gave the picture to the Museum Boynamsa in Rotterdam. The Dutch are accustomed to regard it as a national treasure. But after 30 years suddenly became clear that Bredius had no intention to give up ownership of the "Allegory of the Faith." In 1928, he sold the painting for $ 300 so the American Col. M. Fridzamu, and now it adorns the Metropolitan. " KOZLOV