The central character of the story is Han van Meegeren, a talented Dutch painter who was not recognized by contemporary critics.
Feeling disregarded, Meegeren cherished in his heart a warmth and a desire for revenge from the professionals who turned their backs on him.
The thought that "if it does not receive the praise of the critic, turning them into a flood of fools will also make us bold" has become the guideline for a bold plan: forging the works of painter masters, especially Johannes Vermeer, one of the most mysterious and respected paintings in the history of Western art.
The decision to choose Vermeer was not a coincidence. Vermeer, with a small number of leftover works and a mysterious life, has become a fertile land for those who want to exploit.
The scarcity of his authenticated works, along with his masterful painting techniques and unique style, makes any new discovery of Vermeer shocking.
Meegeren has meticulously researched Vermeer's techniques, materials, and styles, not only to copy but also to create new works bearing the mark of the 17th-century master.
He not only wants to prove that he can pass the experts, but also wants to create works that they themselves have to admire and recognize as a masterpiece before the harsh truth is exposed.
Dolnick's book cleverly depicts this complex psychological transformation, from a hurt artist to a fake with ambition and high self-respect.
Meegeren's journey did not stop at creating fake paintings. He also faces the challenge of making them look ancient, overcoming the rigorous inspection of leading experts.
Han van Meegeren's success in forging Vermeer paintings lies not only in his sophisticated technique but also in his ability to grasp the psychology of experts and the art market.
His Vermeer paintings, especially his Dinner at Emmaus, were highly praised by critics, museum curators and the most prestigious collectors at the time. They are fascinated by the rediscovery of an unknown religious period in Vermeer's career.
One of Meegeren's most famous prey is Hermann Goering - an greedy art collector. Goering changed to 137 other paintings to own the painting "Chua co la phu nu ngoai tinh", a work by Meegeren.
This detail not only shows the scale of the fraud but also reveals an ironic aspect of history: Hermann Goering - one of the most brutal men of the century (one of the most powerful figures of German Socialism) was deceived by an artist he probably never took his eyes off.
" vo thuat tranh gia" thereby also raises questions about the true value of art when it is caught up in the spiral of power and greed.
Meegeren's success in deceiving experts has lasted for many years, bringing him a huge fortune.
It is remarkable that no one doubted, or if there were, those doubts were quickly extinguished by the reputation of experts who had authenticated the works.
Dolnick's book is a warning about the fragility of the art review system, where the popularity and majority consensus can sometimes overshadow the truth.
The Washington Post commented that this book "asked questions that stimulate thinking about the nature of art as well as the psychology of deception."
Edward Dolnick is an American writer and a key writer for the Boston Globe, currently living in Washington, D.C. with his family.
Outstanding works: Madness on the Couch (1998), Down the Great Unknown (2001), The Rescue Artist (2005)...
