The Forger's Spell: A True Story of Vermeer, Nazis, and the Greatest Art Hoax of the Twentieth Century

How the Art Forger Works-a detailed examination of a 20th century hoax

This was a selection for a women's book club and we were divided on the book. 70% of us thought it interesting, with detailed imagery of how an art forgery is created and a real profile into what makes people fall for such hoaxes. The remaining members were looking for a novel or simple story and were not able to get past the detailed descriptions. And the author does go into detail. Getting the proper paints, canvass, even framing, all factor in to the artist's ability to create a believeable forgery. That this particular forger was able to fool not only respected critics in Holland in the 1920's and '30's but even Herman Goering makes for an exciting tale as well. The author weaves his story between the details of creating a forgery, the story of the forger, and even some detail into why Goering was so easy to fool. Those of us who enjoyed this book couldn't put it down. This is helped by short chapters and a lively writing style which makes the art process understandable to the non-artist. As a book for discussion, there was considerable talk about the nature of creating a believeable forgery and how we prepare ourselves to be gullible, not only in art forgery, but in life itself.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great Career Tips

In these difficult economic times any alternative job training is a MUST!! Okay, just kidding. A great book for art and art history lovers! Fodder for interesting conversations.

great read

a little confusing at first but all falls into place at the end.

The Forger's Spell

A thrilling book, an exciting read - and very informative

First rate

Excellent insights into Vermeer,Nazi thuggery,and the art world.Very well-written. My wife enjoyed it as much as I did.

Interesting on many levels

Dolnick has found a niche in both art and WWII histories to illuminate. Very interesting the tools used by forgers: techniques, old and new materials, marketing and psychology. He did a great job of explaining how experts could be fooled by awful forgeries obvious to untrained eyes.

The Forger's Spell is well worth the time.

I've had a ton of books on my list to read and then this one came along for a discussion group. I loved it. The Forger's Spell is a great read for those who like detail. The author sometimes goes off on a tangent but always returns to his point. This book is a great avenue for those interested in art and history.

My discussion group was split. Some readers found it too detailed. Others, like myself, loved and couldn't put it down.

informative

Very informative book, however not easy reading.

Amazing Story of a Master Art Forger

This true story is stranger than fiction. An absorbing story of a great con pulled on the top Nazis during WWII. An art forger fools the best in the art trade. Are his paintings still hanging in major museums? For anyone interested in art history, especially the works of Vermeer, this is a fascinating look at the art world and the blind greed of collectors.

Caveat Emptor

If the world must have more Vermeers, someone will paint them and the buyers will believe they are genuine. This aptly titled book tells how Han van Meegeren cast his spell over those needing to own or to discover a "Vermeer." Although each successive canvas was hokier and less artistic, van Meegeren excelled in duplicating the physical characteristics of centuries-old paintings. He made a lot of money with his forgeries and nearly got away with the scam. I do recommend this easy-to-read tale of human frailty.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Well done!

This is a book that is better than it should be! Although discussing a topic that might have been dry and boring, Edward Dolnick is able to keep the tone lively and interesting. Good writing need not be forced or sensational or overly clever. In this book Dolnick shows himself to be a writer who can tell a good story in a simple and straightforward way.

A Thriller for Art Lovers

The Forger's Spell is unlike any other Art History book you've ever read. And if you've never read an Art History book, you should try this one. It starts with the brilliant but poverty stricken Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer who was so buried in obscurity during his lifetime he didn't even sign some of his works. Centuries later, when a Vermeer was the hottest commodity in the art world, a cunning forger decides to copy his style for his own devious ends. The phony Vermeers he painstakingly creates are so convincing that two of the most evil collectors in the world covet them. Adolf Hitler and Herman Goering both want to get their hands on the faux Vermeers when the Nazi's conquer and loot the Netherlands.

Hard to believe... but it's true!

This book was a great read. Unfortunately, it doesn't always stay in the WW II time period- some chapters are in the 1990s some in the 1970s, etc. However, the author always manages to keep the story flowing. It's hard to believe, when you look at the pictures included, that anyone could fall for what Van Meegeren did- but they fell for it hard. It's almost unbelievable, but there's good research by the author to back-up everything. It adds to the literature already available about how the Nazis plundered Europe of the most famous pieces of art. The author gives a detailed step-by-step process about how Ver Meergen managed to forge paintings. Great read! (This would be a great movie!)

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