Han van Meegeren: The Forger Who Fooled the Nazis

Han van Meegeren (1889–1947) is remembered as one of the 20th century's most skilled art forgers. After a disappointing artistic career, he specialized in forging Johannes Vermeer paintings. His forgeries deceived leading art historians like Abraham Bredius, who had devoted his life to studying the Dutch master, and high-profile figures such as Nazi general Hermann Göring, who purchased the fake Vermeer 'Christ and the Adulteress' for his private collection. After World War II, van Meegeren was accused of collaboration for selling Dutch treasures to the enemy. To prove his innocence, he painted a 'Jesus in the Temple' in the courtroom, astonishing experts and demonstrating his forgery skills.