Page "Han van Meegeren" Paragraph 14

In the Netherlands, Han van Meegeren had become a well-known painter.

Hertje ( 1921 ) and Straatzangers ( 1928 ) were particularly popular.

His first legitimate copies were painted in 1923 – his Laughing Cavalier and Happy Smoker – both in the style of Frans Hals.

By 1928, the similarity of van Meegeren ’ s paintings to those of the old masters began to draw the reproach of Dutch art critics, who were, at that time, more interested in the Cubist, Surrealist, and other movements.

It was said that van Meegeren ’ s gift was in imitation and that, outside of copying other artists ' work, his talent was limited.

One critic wrote that he was " A gifted technician who has made a sort of composite facsimile of the Renaissance school, he has every virtue except originality.

" In response to these comments, van Meegeren published a series of aggressive articles in the monthly magazine De Kemphaan (“ The Game Cock ”).

Between April 1928 and March 1930, and together with journalist Jan Ubink, he raged against the art community, and in the process, lost any sympathy with the critics.