Born in Deventer in 1889 as the third child of Roman Catholic parents, Han van Meegeren initially pursued architecture at a technical college in Delft, complying with his father's wishes. Despite excelling in his preliminary examinations, he opted not to pursue the final examination for architecture, choosing instead to follow his genuine passion for art.
Despite his father's inclination towards architecture, Han's artistic talent became evident when he earned a gold medal for a drawing portraying a church interior in the seventeenth-century style. Starting his career as a mid-level Dutch artist and art teacher, Han later aimed to sustain his family solely through his artistic pursuits. In 1927, his painting "The Deer" gained notable recognition, standing out as the most esteemed piece in a lottery organized by the Haagsche Kunstkring.
Han van Meegeren eventually achieved international acclaim for his skillful forgeries. He passed away on December 30, 1947, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, at the age of 58.
Han van Meegeren: Art Forger
