Artforgerist Van Meegeren had been cleared of collaboration but not of forgery. He had made his pile not by collaborating but by forging seven Vermeers and two Pieter de Hooches.

It was far too much money for an honest Dutchman to have made during the German occupation. But when Artist Hans van Meegeren was accused of collaborating and was asked to explain his quick fortune of $3,024,000, he had an answer ready. Said Van Meegeren: he had made his pile…