The Manufacturer of Vermeers

By Lázaro Droznes

The Manufacturer of Vermeers. The incredible story of Hans Van Meegeren, the forger of Vermeers.

Hans van Meegeren, was a Dutch painter who during the Second World War produced better Vermeers than the original ones. He was able to fool the entire artistic community and Herman Goering himself. Finally, he had to confess his forgeries to save himself from the death penalty.

This dramatic fiction is based on the incredible story of Hans van Meegeren in the 1930s and during the Second World War, when he succeeded in forging and selling 6 Vermeers and 2 Franz Hals for a sum, updated to date, estimated at 100 million dollars. One of the Vermeers was purchased by Herman Goering, second in the hierarchy of the Third Reich. When the Second World War ended, van Meegeren faced the accusation of traitor to his homeland and had to confess his forgeries to save his life.

These confessions were an earthquake in the pictorial community in Holland and the entire world, given that his forgeries had been accepted unanimously, and one of them, the “Christ at Emmaus” was considered the best Vermeer of all. This fiction, based on real facts, leads us to reflect on the concept of authenticity in art and the validity of the traditional concepts of truth and beauty: Does a painting stop being beautiful when it is proven that it is a forgery?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Unitexto. Digital Publishing
• Release date: Aug 16, 2018
• ISBN: 9781547542741

Book preview

The Manufacturer of Vermeers

In an office full of papers and folders, a small, 55-year-old man, Hans van Meegeren, with sparse, gray hair, awaits impatiently. Suddenly, Joseph Piller, a man around 35 years old, tall, well built, and athletic, bursts energetically into the room.

Piller

My name is Piller, Joseph Piller. I apologize for the delay.

Van Meegeren

Joseph Piller. The hero of the Resistance?

Piller

I don’t think I was a hero. I did what I had to do.

Van Meegeren

Your participation in the Resistance is an example for the Dutch nation. I have heard about your feats.

Piller

They belong to the past. Now we must put an order in all this chaos.

Van Meegeren

How can I help?

Piller

We have brought you to testify because there are a series of suspicious behaviors on your part that require an explanation.

Van Meegeren

I’m listening

Piller

When the Nazis invaded, the Jewish community panicked. Around 150 Jews committed suicide the week after the invasion and many of them left works of art unprotected.

Van Meegeren

Yes, it was tremendous.

Piller

Many Dutch paintings that belonged to these Jewish families were bought by Germans.

Van Meegeren

I know.

Piller

During the war, you established a close friendship with Antoin Miedl. Correct?

Van Meegeren

Correct.

Piller

Antoin Miedl was the purchasing agent for Herman Goering in Amsterdam. What was the exact nature of your relationship with Miedl?

Van Meegeren

Friends, guild mates, we were interested in the same things. Why do you ask?

Piller

The rumor on the street is that you worked with Miedl in the evaluation and selection of works.

Van Meegeren

Not at all. Why do you think that?

Piller

Many of those paintings owned by Jewish families were sold to Goering through the gallerist Miedl.

Van Meegeren

If it was so, I never heard nor participated in it.

Piller

You, van Meegeren, are an artist who doesn’t have economic problems. Quite the contrary. You live like a millionaire. What type of artist lives like this? Maybe Rembrandt, but you are no Rembrandt. With what money do you afford everything?

Van Meegeren

I don’t live like a millionaire...

Piller

During the war, you would go to nightclubs every day. The normal Dutchmen would not. Only Germans, the army, or the SS would go. A behavior like that is suspicious of having fraternized with the enemy. Where did all your money come from?

Van Meegeren

I won the lottery in France. I have been very fortunate.

Piller

I suppose you have the documents to prove that.

Van Meegeren

Of course.

Piller

Where are they?