Han van Meegeren: Master Forger (1889-1947)
Han van Meegeren: Master Forger (1889-1947)
by @archivist
A comprehensive chronicle of Dutch painter Han van Meegeren's life, from his early artistic ambitions through his rise as one of history's most audacious art forgers and his eventual exposure. This timeline traces his transformation from a struggling artist to the creator of some of the most famous forgeries of the 20th century, culminating in his dramatic confession and trial.
Birth of Han van Meegeren
Henricus Antonius van Meegeren was born in Deventer, Netherlands, as the third of five children to a schoolteacher father and his wife.
Deventer, Netherlands
Marriage to Anna de Voogt
Van Meegeren married fellow art student Anna de Voogt, who was pregnant with their first child at the time.
Netherlands
Gold Medal Award in Delft
Van Meegeren received the prestigious Gold Medal from Delft Technical University for his study of Rotterdam's Church of Saint Lawrence, an award given only every five years.
Delft, Netherlands
First Art Exhibition
Van Meegeren held his first exhibition at Kunstzaal Pictura in The Hague, marking his debut as a professional artist.
The Hague, Netherlands
Painting Princess Juliana's Deer
Van Meegeren completed 'Hertje' (The Deer), a portrait of Princess Juliana's tame roe deer, which became enormously popular throughout the Netherlands.
Netherlands
Divorce from Anna de Voogt
After years of marital unhappiness, Van Meegeren's first marriage ended in divorce, following which his wife moved to Paris with their children.
Netherlands
Marriage to Johanna Oerlemans
Van Meegeren married actress Johanna Theresia Oerlemans, known by her stage name Jo van Walraven, after living together for three years.
Woerden, Netherlands
Move to Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
Van Meegeren relocated to southern France and rented the mansion 'Primavera', where he would develop his revolutionary forgery techniques over the next six years.
Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France
Creating The Supper at Emmaus
Van Meegeren completed his masterpiece forgery, painting over a 17th-century canvas using techniques that would fool the greatest experts of the era.
Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France
Sale to Museum Boijmans
The Rembrandt Society purchased The Supper at Emmaus for 520,000 guilders and donated it to the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam.
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Authentication by Abraham Bredius
Leading art historian Abraham Bredius examined The Supper at Emmaus and declared it an authentic Vermeer masterpiece in The Burlington Magazine.
Monaco
Move to Nice
Van Meegeren relocated to Nice, purchasing a luxurious 12-bedroom estate with proceeds from his successful forgeries.
Nice, France
Return to Netherlands for War
As World War II threatened Europe, Van Meegeren returned to the Netherlands from France, eventually settling in Laren.
Netherlands
Sale to Hermann Göring
Nazi Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring acquired Van Meegeren's forged 'Christ with the Adulteress', trading 137 looted paintings for what he believed was a genuine Vermeer.
Netherlands
Göring Hides Looted Art
Göring concealed his art collection, including Van Meegeren's forgery, in an Austrian salt mine along with 6,750 other looted artworks.
Austria
Discovery of Göring's Collection
Allied forces entered the Austrian salt mine and Captain Harry Anderson discovered Göring's looted artwork including the forged Vermeer.
Austria
Arrest as Nazi Collaborator
Van Meegeren was arrested and charged with fraud and aiding the enemy, facing possible death penalty for allegedly selling Dutch cultural treasures to the Nazis.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Confession to Forgery
To avoid execution for collaboration, Van Meegeren confessed that the painting sold to Göring was not a genuine Vermeer but his own forgery.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Painting Jesus among the Doctors
Under court supervision with reporters and witnesses present, Van Meegeren painted his final forgery to prove his ability to create fake Vermeers.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Trial for Forgery and Fraud
Van Meegeren's trial began in Amsterdam with an international panel of experts examining his forgeries using advanced chemical analysis techniques.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Conviction and Prison Sentence
The Amsterdam court found Van Meegeren guilty of forgery and fraud, sentencing him to one year in prison despite his status as a folk hero.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
First Heart Attack
On the final day to appeal his conviction, Van Meegeren suffered a heart attack and was rushed to the Valeriuskliniek hospital in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Death of Han van Meegeren
Van Meegeren suffered a second heart attack and died at age 58, never serving his prison sentence, ending one of history's most remarkable forgery careers.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Estate Auction
Van Meegeren's Amsterdam house contents and art collection, including 738 pieces, were auctioned to refund buyers and pay taxes on his forgery proceeds.
Amsterdam, Netherlands