Description
Book Synopsis: It's a story that made Dutch painter Han van Meegeren famous worldwide when it broke at the end of World War II: A lifetime of disappointment drove him to forge Vermeers, one of which he sold to Hermann Goering, making a mockery of the Nazis. And it's a story that's been believed ever since. Too bad it isn't true. Jonathan Lopez has drawn on never-before-seen documents from dozens of archives to write a revelatory new biography of the world's most famous forger. Neither unappreciated artist nor antifascist hero, Van Meegeren emerges as an ingenious, dyed-in-the-wool crook who plied the forger's trade far longer than he ever admitted—a talented Mr. Ripley armed with a paintbrush. Lopez also explores a network of illicit commerce that operated across Europe: Not only was Van Meegeren a key player in that high-stakes game in the 1920s and '30s, landing fakes with powerful dealers and famous collectors such as Andrew Mellon, but he and his associates later offered a case study in wartime opportunism as they cashed in on the Nazi occupation. The Man Who Made Vermeers is a long-overdue unvarnishing of Van Meegeren's legend and a deliciously detailed story of deceit in the art world.
Details
Discover the fascinating and shocking truth behind the incredible story of Han van Meegeren, the master forger who fooled the art world. In "The Man Who Made Vermeers: Unvarnishing the Legend of Master Forger Han van Meegeren," Jonathan Lopez unravels the web of deception that made Van Meegeren famous worldwide. Drawing on exclusive documents from multiple archives, Lopez unveils the true identity of this ingenious crook.
Contrary to popular belief, Han van Meegeren was not an unappreciated artist or an antifascist hero. He was an extraordinary talent with a paintbrush, capable of producing Vermeer's masterpieces with impressive precision. Through the pages of this revelatory biography, Lopez exposes the decades-long career of this skilled "Mr. Ripley" of the art world, who effortlessly duped powerful dealers and renowned collectors like Andrew Mellon.
But the intrigue doesn't end there. Lopez delves into the network of illegal commerce across Europe, where Van Meegeren played a pivotal role in the high-stakes game of forging. The author uncovers lucrative deals struck in the 1920s and '30s, as Van Meegeren successfully passed off fakes as genuine Vermeers to art connoisseurs. Moreover, the book provides a chilling account of wartime opportunism, as Van Meegeren and his associates profited from the Nazi occupation.
"The Man Who Made Vermeers" is a must-read for art enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Lopez's meticulous research brings to light the truth behind one of the most astonishing tales in the art world's history. Through vivid storytelling and gripping details, this book unveils the life and exploits of an unmatched art forger. Prepare to be captivated and astounded by the real story behind Han van Meegeren's forgeries.
Don't miss out on this eye-opening biography. Order your copy of "The Man Who Made Vermeers: Unvarnishing the Legend of Master Forger Han van Meegeren" now.
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