Muzieklezende vrouw 1935 - 1940

This is *Muzieklezende vrouw*, or Woman Reading Music, painted on canvas by Han van Meegeren. The smooth surface and subtle gradations of tone are achieved through the skilled application of oil paint, a technique perfected by Dutch Masters like Vermeer, whom Van Meegeren imitated. But here’s the thing: it’s a forgery! Van Meegeren was a master of deceptive materiality. He understood the market demand for Old Masters and used his deep knowledge of materials and techniques to produce fakes. He artificially aged the paint, and even baked the canvas to create the appearance of age. Van Meegeren exploited the art world's obsession with authenticity, and the vast sums of money that could be made. His story underscores the importance of understanding art as both a product of skilled making and of market forces. It also prompts us to question our assumptions about artistic value and originality.