Born-Died: 1632-1675
Creation Date: c. 1672
Size: 20.8 × 18.2 inch (53 × 46.3 cm)
Media: Oil on canvas
Location: Kenwood House, London, UK
This was another Vermeer painting that was at one time stolen. The thieves held the painting "hostage" demanding that two convicted IRA bombers be moved from an English prison to an Irish one. They even cut off a strip of the painting and sent it to the police with a letter criticising capitalism, threatening to burn the painting. However, it was later discovered in a churchyard, unsinged and wrapped in a newspaper. Apparently the thieves demands were not met either. What idiotic, loser bastards.
I recommend the book, "The Forger's Spell" It is about a man who forges Vermeer's paintings and fools many people, including the Nazis.
ReplyDeleteIi have read a little bit about Van Meegeren (sp.?) and it sounds like an absolutely fascinating story--like something the Cohen brothers would make into a movie.
DeleteYes it would be a great Cohen brothers movie! Van Meegeren was quite the character. His paintings were horrid and certain critics dogmatically stood by their authenticity to the end. The book is great cause it talks about the technical, cultural, and aesthetic aspects of the situation.
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