Person Meegerena deserves more careful consideration. Here is his biography. This is not only instructive but also fascinating reading.
Han van Meegeren Antonius
(in 1889 - one thousand nine hundred and forty-seven)
Dutch painter. Journalists called it "a great falsifier.
Mostly painted in the spirit of the old masters and claim them as creations of great artists. Author's largest painting forgeries of all time - "Christ at Emmaus" Vermeer of Delft.
Han Van Meegeren was born May 3, 1889 and was the third of five children in a family of school teachers. His mother was fond of music and drawing, but these talents to develop it could not - she got married. Despite the discontent of his father, Khan spent all his spare time in the studio teacher Kortelinga, which developed in him a taste for old-fashioned letter. For teachers and students a real painting ended XVII century.
In 18 years the Van Meegeren admitted to the Delft Institute of Technology, to listen to it a course of architecture at the same time he studied at the School of Fine Arts. Khan has been keen on painting.
After the fourth year, the summer of 1911 a young man became acquainted with Anna de Vooht, which in the spring of next year became his wife. At this time, Anne was expecting a child. The couple is constantly experiencing financial difficulties. And to somehow support the family, Khan began to sell his first painting. He often thought about becoming a professional artist.
In Delft every five years, organize contests of painting for students. Gold Medal, awarded for the best work, brings laureate fame. Van Meegeren decided to try his luck. He began work on a watercolor. Subject chose the interior of the church of Saint-Laurent in Rotterdam. The complexity of the model allows him to use his knowledge of architecture and to demonstrate their command of traditional manner of writing. The jury unanimously awarded first prize Van Meegerenu. He became a local celebrity, his watercolors sold well.
to be continued ...
"The lady and gentleman at the spinet" (Vermeer)
With this painting Han Antonius van Meegeren began his fantastically successful career simulator and forger. It was sold to the Amsterdam banker Teerstegu (Teersteg) for 400,000 guldenov (1 guilder 1935=approximately 2.5 British pounds today)
Man and Woman at a Spinet, 65 x 53 cm, oil on canvas, painted around 1935-36