Legendary forgers staged a solo exhibition

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Legendary forgers staged a solo exhibition

Rotterdam Museum Boijmans - van Beuningen (Boijmans Van Beuningen) presented an exhibition of fake paintings of Vermeer, the present author who was a famous forger Han van Meegeren. Reported ArtDaily.
The exhibition features about a dozen works Meegerena. Most of them imitate the style of Vermeer, but there are imitations of Frans Hals, Pieter de Hoch and Gerard Terborch. Proceedings of the exhibition also shed new light on the technique a fake, used Meegerenom: his paintings were studied in Amsterdam Rijksmuseum.

Han van Meegeren, who was born in the late XIX century, has not received recognition as the original artist, but to realize himself in the forgery of works by Dutch masters. Originally its purpose was to shame the art critics who denied him talent. However, realizing that cheating brings good money, he changed his mind Meegeren disclose his ownership of the production of fakes and put on stream.

Especially he managed to fake Vermeer: the beginning of XX century painter from Delft has gained incredible popularity and the audience gladly accepted previously unknown paintings of the originals. Meegeren advantage of the fact that Vermeer was almost no paintings of biblical scenes and drew the Gospel scene, depicting the Italian influence in passing on the great Dutchman. Museum Boijmans - van Beuningen was one of the biggest victims of fraud: he bought the painting "Christ at Emmaus".

Counterfeits have been found only through the recognition of the Meegerena. He was forced to admit, when after World War II, he decided to try to sell "the work of Vermeer" Goring.

http://www.lenta.ru/news/2010/05/14/meegeren/

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Life and career of Khan (or Hans) van Meegerena (Han van Meegeren) represent one of the most illustrative and at the same time unusual stories connected with the painting of the XX century. He started as a unique artist, but as such a great reputation not received. Then the van Meegeren, a flash of unusual facets of his talent, engaged in counterfeiting the old Dutch masters - and earn a huge fortune. Rigging the results were revealed - and it brought the artist to international fame, which he, however, virtually no time to enjoy. Now van Meegerena rightfully called one of the most skilled forgers in the history of painting. In 2009, full circle: among the paintings attributed to the genius of a cheat, someone else found one. Forgery by forgery was the original - now, allegedly written by van Meegerenom, wrote an unknown Dutchman XVII century.
It is a canvas "consolidated" Preserved in the collection of London's Courtauld Institute of Art (Courtauld). It is believed that this pattern was found in a villa van Meegerena in Nice in 1945, when an outstanding forger was forced to reveal themselves. Probably, this fact and made art for so long now considered a forgery.

The Dutch government took the "consolidated" himself, but soon gave the picture to the British art historian Geoffrey Webb (Geoffrey Webb), commending his contributions in restitution - the return of cultural objects removed from the Netherlands during the Second World War. Webb firmly believe now, van Meegerena, and in 1960 it was in this capacity gave it Courtauld Institute. It is therefore not surprising that the question about its authenticity - or, more accurately, fake ones - then no one picked up.

Doubts emerged later, in 1970, the Dutch art historian Mareyke van den Brandhof (Marijke van den Brandhof), but when its voice is listened to none - all were convinced that the "synthesis" was painted not the old masters and modern forger .

Why examination still had, precisely in 2009, is unclear. As stated by the superintendent of the Institute of Courtauld, Caroline Campbell (Caroline Campbell), she has always believed that the painting could be an original XVII century, however, and its findings have surprised specialists (examination results to the general public, referring to The Art Newspaper, retelling of the British edition of The Daily Telegraph and The Independent).

Researchers in the first place, found that the picture painted on an old canvas. However, they are considered the most important: after all, a professional artist and a sophisticated forger, Van Meegeren was what surely would have found the canvas XVII century. The more important result given pigment analysis: in the picture "synthesis" in general did not have modern pigments, because of what can be fairly safe to say that it dates from the golden age of Dutch painting.


Nevertheless, who was the author of "composite" is unclear. An irony: the picture that turned out not fake the famous forger, and the original artist unknown, it seems even slightly lost its appeal of an adventurous - although, of course, acquired in the price. More interesting is that the painting was again connected with his main "prototype" - Jan Vermeer. Specialists from the Courtauld Institute of Art say that, probably, "consolidated" hung in the home of the legendary and mysterious Delft painter.

To understand what they mean experts should apply to the plot of the picture. A scene in a brothel was, apparently, DiMeo unknown artist with the same name genre paintings in 1622 brush Dirk van Babyurena (Dirck van Baburen, 1595-1624) - Dutch painter, who lived in Utrecht and classified as local karavadzhistam. It is believed that the "consolidated" van Babyurena or her a copy hanging in the house of Tiffany's Vermeer: this is illustrated by two paintings of the artist, "The Concert" (about 1665-1666, in 1990 the painting was stolen from a Boston museum, her whereabouts are still unknown) and "Woman Seated in verdzhinelem" (1675). In both painting canvases, which unmistakably recognizable plot "consolidated", hangs on the wall and is visible to the viewer. Moreover, the Vermeer is not real with the same name and on the same subject, also known as "The scene on the balcony." Apparently, experts Courtauld suggest that not the original van Babyurena, and a copy of an unknown artist, is now caught up to them, hung in the house of Tiffany Vermeer and attracted the attention of the artist.

Thus, a sheet, which could be the last link in the chain of copies, imitations and counterfeits, is the most that neither is an original. This sounds like ending a post-modern adventure novel, however, seems to have before us is not novel, but most that neither is reality. It seems more symbolic name of the picture: "consolidated" and really brought to the XX century XVII-m, and Vermeer - to his most famous imitator, and almost rival.

P.S. The painting became the focus of the public due to its unusual history, is not placed in the museum Courtauld Institute of Art because of its poor preservation. However, the curator of the museum ready to show his newfound "Dutchman" XVII century, nearly 50 years, is stuck with the stigma of forgery, unless prior arrangement with them to meet.

Cyril tadpoles

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Han van Meegeren was born in 1889, and began to forge paintings in the late 1920's when he realized that it brings a lot of money. The greatest success he gained through the Vermeer forgeries: in the XX century painter from Delft became extremely fashionable, 35 (or thereabouts) paintings left by him, could not satisfy the "demand", and customers willingly believed that the pictures Meegerena van - originals . Forger used gaps in the biography of Vermeer and depicted the Italian influence on the Dutchman, drawing on the Gospel stories (among the original XVII century, they are not), the greatest success he brought the work of "Christ at Emmaus. Van Meegeren was unmasked by connoisseurs of painting: he himself had to confess everything, when he wanted to be judged for the sale of paintings of Vermeer to Goering. He became an overnight celebrity of the world, the artist condemned only a year, but he soon died, never crossed the threshold of the prison. On the van Meegeren forgeries earned $ 25-30 million in terms of modern money.

http://lenta.ru/articles/2009/09/30/meegeren/

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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

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Khan sought to provide a solid social position and entered the Academy of Fine Arts in The Hague. He was given 4 August 1914 the title of Master of Arts.

Watercolor "Interior of the church of Saint-Laurent" in our day is considered his most famous work. He secretly made a copy of it to sell it to a rich collector. Van Meegeren had intended to give this copy of the original. The wife of the artist begged him to do so.

Yet his skill continued to improve. Soon, one art dealer signed a contract with him. In 1916 he opened the first exhibition Meegerena.

A friend of the artist Van Vayngaarden possessed a genuine gift of the middleman. Meegerenu got the idea to undertake the restoration is not of great value canvases XVII and XVIII centuries. The perfect mastery of technology enabled him to make these paintings the dignity of these works of art. This activity proved very profitable.

In 1928 Van Meegeren and his friend found a picture in which they recognized the work of Van Khalsa. If it was established the authenticity of the portrait, he would bring them a fortune. Friends with great care and caution undertook the restoration of the painting. Then they showed her a well-known art critics and art historian Dr. Hofstede de Groot. He acknowledged the authenticity of the work and offered to find a buyer. Once the painting was sold, well-known critic Bredius declared that - fake. Van Vayngaarden was forced to return money to the buyer. He decided to play Brediusa. To whom he showed his own picture, having given her by the creation of Rembrandt. The critic acknowledged the authenticity of the painting. Feasting Vayngaarden theatrical gesture cut fabric. Bredius, ridiculed and depressed, once again proved its incompetence in art history.


"Head of Christ" (Vermeer)

Sketch van Meegerena the painting "Christ in Emmaus". It was sold in 1941 with detailed expert opinion, through the agent Straybisa (Strijbis) and the dealer Hogendeyka (Hoogendijk) of Rotterdam shipowners Van Buningenu (DG van Beuningen) for 475.000 guilders.
 

Head of Christ, 48 x 30 cm, painted around 1940

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At forty Meegeren was divorced from Anna de Vooht, started an affair with the wife of one of the critics and in 1929 married her. After the wedding, from time to time he would experience a little romance with a model. The father denied his son-artist.

In 1935 Van Meegeren wrote a Frans Hals, one Terborch, two Vermeer.

The life and work of Vermeer of Delft and to this day remain largely unknown. From the field of view of scientists fall whole periods of his life. Meegeren decided to take advantage of this. He decided to create a completely "new" area of the great artist who did not leave behind a religious compositions, the benefit that they have nothing to be compared, except among themselves, one fake on the other.

In Search of Van Meegeren story stopped at the famous story of the Gospel of the resurrected Christ to his disciples at Emmaus. And as the songs he chose a picture of the famous artist Caravaggio, written on the same topic. It remained the most difficult - to paint a picture so that no one had any doubts about its origin brush of a great artist.

Meegerena tormented by the question: how to make the canvas and stretcher were genuine? It's easy to find a picture of the XVII century antiquarian, not of artistic value. It is necessary to clear several layers of painting, without damaging Underpainting. This is a very complicated operation. When writing a picture can not use substances, which came into usage later era of the great master Vermeer. This can be through chemical analysis. Van Meegeren learned to prepare myself paint, found suppliers of other rare materials. However, the most important problem was craquelure.


"Christ at Emmaus" (Vermeer)

The most famous of all the fakes van Meegerena, was written in his villa in ROQUEBRUNE (Roquebrune) in southern France, on top of the canvas 17th century with a religious scene "The Raising of Lazarus" by an unknown artist. This canvas and wooden stretcher were cut from the left side to match the size zadummanoy simulation.
Van Meegeren revealed that he kept the strip of linen and two of the stretcher, which had been removed, but only one part of the stretcher was found by police when they searched the villa. However, annual rings and a wormhole in this part of the timber exactly coincided with the subframe under the picture in conducting forensic analysis.
According to legend, the painting was bought by the representatives of the old Dutch kind of living in Italy.
Several leading experts including the most authoritative expert on Vermeer Dr. Abraham Bredius (Dr. Abraham Bredius) unanimously attributed this picture early Vermeer.
Van Meegeren sold the painting through an intermediary - an old friend, lawyer, Dr. J. A. Bona (Dr. GA Boon) and a leading Dutch dealer's DA Hogendeyka (DA Hoogendijk) Dutch Rembrandt Society for the sum of 520,000 guilders (£ 1.8 million pounds) at the end of 1937. Then the painting was transferred to the museum of Rotterdam Boyman van Boyningena (Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen), which caused a real sensation.
The museum and today does not recognize the fact of forgery and considers this painting Vermeer (http://www.boijmans.nl/nl/)


The Disciples at Emmaus 115 x 127 cm, painted around 1936-37

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It is on this and managed to expose the majority of fakes. Oil painting dries very slowly. For complete drying requires at least half a century. Later appear craquelure - Cracks in the picture, over time, they are multiplying. Brilliant idea Meegerena was that by clearing the previous image, write a new, carefully preserving every crack of the original podmalevki. In order to achieve the proper hardening of paints, after a long search, the artist decided to apply the latest discoveries of modern chemistry. By the end of 1934 he was able to invent such oil paints, which are in a special oven at 105 ° C hardened after two hours so that they did not take the usual solvent.

For centuries, on the surface accumulates dust paintings, which eat into the smallest cracks in the painting. Van Meegeren is a brilliant solution. After a dry layer of varnish on a painting, it covers the entire canvas with a thin layer of Chinese carcasses. Ink will seep into the cracks filled with varnish, then the artist can only wash away the Chinese ink and varnish with turpentine, and the ink has penetrated the cracks remain and creates the appearance had eaten the dust. Finally, the artist covers painting another layer of lacquer on top.

The painting took seven months of daily hard work. Finally, the artist casts a critical glance at his creation. Picture success. Remained to sign it. For days practiced van Meegeren: even the slightest, imperceptible to the naked eye delay in drawing letters may alert the suspect and graphology expert.


"Interior with players in the cards" (Pieter de Hooch)

Compiling with different paintings De Hoja (Pieter de Hoogh) the most notable drawing made from a picture of Des Hoch-drinking woman with two men and a maid (A Woman Drinking with Two Men, and a Serving Woman, c. 1658, The National Gallery, London), and the eponymous painting of Buckingham Palace (Buckingham Palace, London.)
It was sold before 1941 year, through an agent Straybisa (Strijbis) and the dealer Hogendeyka (Hoogendijk) collector Van der Worm (Van der Vorm) for 219,000 guilders (£ 550,000).
Later, van der Worm resold it Blessing Jacob (Isaac Blessing Jacob)


Interior with Cardplayers, 75 x 62 cm, oil on canvas, painted around 1939

[Черномашенцев Владимир]

A good story about this forger is in the book Gregory Kozlov Attempted Art. Art Detective. " Publishing House "Word", 2007.

I really enjoyed the whole book: La Gioconda, Ghent Altarpiece, The Virgin of Vladimir, the myth of Van Gogh, Rothko, theft of the century, Stalin's sales, Bremen Baldin collection, vandalism, and methods for creating super-museum, similar to the vandalism ...

PS

In this topic, other materials are available, so the book can be a good complement to the story as the content and the illustrations.

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But how to publish the picture? In van Meegerena always been imaginative. His friend, the Dutch jurist, KA Boonen, he told a romantic story about how he, Van Meegeren, found the "Christ at Emmaus" in Italy, smuggled, bypassing customs laws now moved on some sailboat almost risking his life in Monte Carlo. Boon, as expected, did not make any secret of it, and soon many already knew about the discovery of the artist.

In the autumn of that year in one of the reputable British magazine article appeared about the sensational discovery of a masterpiece of Vermeer. On "Christ at Emmaus" talking art critics, antiquarians. In Roquebrune arrived for the talks art dealer Hugendeyk In the end, the painting was sold to the Museum Boijmans in Rotterdam. Van Meegeren was 340,000, and Hugendeyk as a mediator remaining 210. In September, the picture was the first time

shown in the museum among the 450 masterpieces of Dutch paintings. The success was stunning. In the picture is constantly crowded with enthusiastic visitors. The vast majority of experts and critics declared "Christ at Emmaus" one of the best and most perfect creations of Vermeer Delph tskogo.

It was a long-awaited triumph. The goal was achieved, and Van Meegeren could celebrate a full and unconditional victory. He continued to work on fakes. He wanted his paintings hung in the best national museums.


"Interior with drinkers" (Pieter de Hooch)

Just as "Interior with players in the map" - a compilation of various paintings De Hoja (Pieter de Hoogh).
It was sold in 1939 through the Bona (Boon) and De Boer (De Boer) Van Buningenu (DG van Beuningen) for 220,000 guilders (£ 660,000)


Interior with Drinkers, 80 x 69 cm, oil on canvas, painted around 1937-38

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In the summer of 1938 Meegeren and his wife moved to Nice in a quarter Simmeskih lakes. They bought it a luxurious villa in marble. While some bedrooms are only twelve. The building, a large music hall, gallery and library. All rooms are luxuriously furnished. The villa is constantly partying.

In 1938-1939 the artist wrote two paintings in the spirit of the genre paintings of famous Dutch painter of XVII century by Peter de Hooha. One painting - "Piruyuschuyu company - acquired collector van Boyningen, another -" Company, playing cards - Rotterdam collector van der Worm. Forger pocketed 350,000 guilders.

Capital from the sale of "Christ at Emmaus" and "Piruyuschey company allowed to spend each month Meegerenu 600,000 francs. With his wife he was dissolute and extravagant lifestyle. Meegeren drank a lot, started using morphine.

The hardships of war have not touched Wang Meegerena. Rich people can get at any power.

For three years the Van Meegeren wrote five new "Vermeer" and all - on religious topics. However, at about the same time, rumors arose that there is something unclean. How does one set of hands were so many paintings of the great master? However, in these conversations, few paid attention.

In 1943 Reykmuzeum in Amsterdam - the largest museum of Holland - bought "Omonovenie feet. A picture of Christ and the sinner "came into the collection of the Goering.


"Portrait of a Man" (Terborch)

Painting Van Meegerena no title, which has never exhibited for sale and has been found in the artist's studio, during a search. Probably Meegeren knew that a positive examination of this painting is not available or was saving it for future sale

Portrait of a Man 30.5 x 25 cm, oil on canvas, painted around 1935-36

[Черномашенцев Владимир]

Surprisingly (or not surprised?) That the main expert on Vermeer and numerous art dealers had passed so many fakes, thrown on the market in fairly short time 1938-1943 years.

For example, notorious for Russia Abraham Bredius played a major role in the legalization of fake Vermeer. As it was called, authoritative Dutch art historian torzhestoval when he was brought to espertizu painting "Christ at Emmaus" made Megerenom: "It's a delightful moment in the life of an art lover, when he suddenly turns to a hitherto unknown painting of the great master, untouched , on the original canvas, without any trace of the restoration, as she left the workshop. do not even need a signature to make sure that we are dealing with shevevrom Jan Vermeer's Delft. Every inch of its painted surface painting shows - this is Vermeer. In no other product you will not find such an understanding bibileyskoy history. " in 1938.

Bredius had fallen into all the traps. He not only gave a positive opinion, but wrote an article in the authoritative magazine on the art of "Burlington store, but also persuaded the Museum Boijmans in Rotterdam buy" Christ at Emmaus, "and even made a substantial sum from his personal funds.

Why Bredius notorious for Russia?

This was an authority since 1899 and runs a very ugly story. In 1899, a Brediusu, who was already in the infallibility of assessments was nicknamed the "Pope", turned russsky kolektsioner Dmitry Shchukin, a brother of the famous collector of Impressionists. He showed the Dutchman now "Allegory of Faith", that I found in an antique shop during his trip to Europe, and asked, rather than Vermeer it? Bredius ridiculed naive seeker schedevrov and advised as soon as possible to sell a mediocre thing. Shchukin obeyed authoritative guru and put it on sale.
What was surprising Russian collector, received the news that now for only 700 stamps bought himself Bredius! But even more surprised Shchukin, when the "Pope" declared "Allegory of Faith" the work of Vermeer. Russia has lost only vozmozhnot get a picture of the great Dutchman.

Bredius to give his ugly deed patriotic character, gave a picture to the Museum Boijmans in Rotterdam. But thirty years later unexpectedly revealed that Bredius had no intention to give up ownership of the "Allegory of Faith": she was in a museum only in temporary storage.

In 1928, Bredius sold now for 300 thousand dollars U.S. Colonel Michael Fridzamu, and now it adorns the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. The money Bredius went to Monaco to live out life in peace and luxury, and the Dutch offended more than once Russian, which was simply not up to it. "Opening" for the Netherlands counterfeit "Christ at Emmaus" allows old credibility "Pope" to rehabilitate in the eyes of fellow citizens. Not accidentally added a Bredlius this picture just to the Museum Boijmans, where he had previously sold in America Shukin Wermer.


Statement by the book Grigory Kozlov Assassination of Art. Art-detective ", publisher" Word ", 2007.