Meegeren and the Secret of Cobalt Blue
In the aftermath of World War II, a shocking revelation rocked the art world. Han van Meegeren, a seemingly unassuming Dutch artist and dealer, was exposed as one of history's most audacious art forgers. His deception was so elaborate that it had fooled even the highest-ranking Nazi officials, including Adolf Hitler.
Van Meegeren's downfall began with his arrest for collaborating with the enemy. To defend himself, he concocted a tale that was almost as unbelievable as his forgeries. He claimed that the "Vermeer" he had sold to Hermann Göring was not a genuine masterpiece but a work of his own creation.
What were the ways of cheating?
The art world was initially skeptical. How could a relatively unknown artist have fooled experts and museums for so long? But as Van Meegeren presented evidence to support his claims, the truth slowly began to unravel. He revealed a meticulous process of deception, using techniques that had fooled even the most experienced art historians.
Van Meegeren had specialized in forging Vermeers, capitalizing on the limited number of known works by the master artist. He studied Vermeer's style and techniques, carefully replicating his brushstrokes, color palette, and even the subtle imperfections that characterized the old master's paintings.
To age his forgeries, Van Meegeren employed a variety of techniques. He used old canvases with authentic craquelure, the network of tiny cracks that develop over time. He also experimented with different paint mediums, eventually settling on Bakelite, a synthetic material that could mimic the aging process of traditional oil paints.
One of Van Meegeren's most daring forgeries was "Christ and the Pilgrims at Emmaus." He borrowed a composition from Caravaggio, knowing that art historians were eager to establish a link between Vermeer and the Italian master. To further enhance the authenticity of his work, Van Meegeren used a pigment that was not widely available until long after Vermeer's death: cobalt blue.
The discovery of this pigment, cobalt blue, ultimately led to Van Meegeren's downfall. While he had carefully considered every detail of his forgeries, he had overlooked the fact that cobalt blue was a relatively new pigment at the time of Vermeer's life.
Cobalt blue, a synthetic pigment with a rich, deep blue hue, was first developed in the early 19th century. Its creation revolutionized the world of art, offering artists a vibrant and durable alternative to the more expensive natural pigments like ultramarine.
Van Meegeren's use of cobalt blue in his forgeries was a fatal mistake. When experts examined his paintings under ultraviolet light, the telltale fluorescence of cobalt blue was revealed, exposing his deception.
And finally...
Despite his crimes, Van Meegeren's story remains a fascinating tale of ingenuity, deception, and the enduring power of art. His forgeries, while fraudulent, were a testament to his remarkable talent and skill. And the discovery of cobalt blue, a pigment that had played a crucial role in his deception, serves as a reminder of the importance of careful examination and scientific analysis in the world of art.
Van Meegeren, in a dramatic courtroom confession, admitted to the forgery of the paintings. To bolster his claim, he requested the necessary tools and materials to demonstrate his ability to create a counterfeit masterpiece from the Dutch Golden Age. This audacious request was intended to solidify his assertion of innocence.
Ultimately, the court found Meegeren guilty of art forgery and sentenced him to a year in prison. Tragically, van Meegeren passed away from a heart attack shortly after his conviction.
