VermeerFälschungen

VermeerFälschungen refers to counterfeit paintings attributed to the Dutch Golden Age master Johannes Vermeer. Due to Vermeer's relatively small surviving oeuvre and the high demand for his works, his paintings have been a target for forgers for centuries. The most notorious VermeerFälschung was perpetrated by Han van Meegeren in the 1930s and 1940s. Van Meegeren skillfully created works in Vermeer's style, most famously "The Supper at Emmaus," which was even authenticated by prominent art experts at the time. He managed to deceive the public and authorities for years, selling his fakes for considerable sums, even to high-ranking Nazis like Hermann Göring.

The detection of VermeerFälschungen relies on a combination of art historical analysis and scientific examination. Art historians scrutinize stylistic elements, subject matter, and historical context to identify inconsistencies with Vermeer's known works. Scientific methods, such as X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, infrared reflectography, and pigment analysis, can reveal anachronistic materials, such as modern pigments or canvas treatments, that would not have been available during Vermeer's lifetime. The discovery of van Meegeren's deception came about when he was arrested for treason after being accused of selling a Vermeer to Göring. To prove his innocence of this charge, he confessed to being the forger, creating a sensation. While van Meegeren's forgeries are the most famous, other lesser-known attempts have also surfaced over time, underscoring the ongoing challenge of authenticating artworks.