European Cezanne, Vermeer exhibits send public into frenzy
March 17, 1996
Web posted at: 5:40 p.m. EST (1040 GMT)From Correspondent Patricia Kelly
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (CNN) -- Paul Cezanne and Johannes Vermeer fared poorly in life, but the artwork they left now draws both admiration and currency.
Cezanne suffered the humiliation of failing entrance to art school. Vermeer's widow was forced to sell off his paintings to pay his debts. But today the two men have achieved cult status, and are on the verge of mass recognition as competing European shows highlight their work.
Up to half a million people are expected to view works by Vermeer's young rival Cezanne at the Tate Gallery in London. The show has an international profile that is persuading international visitors to extend their stay in London.
Across the water in the Netherlands, Dutch master Vermeer also is the focus of public attention from home and abroad, thanks to the largest-ever exhibition of his work.
More than 350,000 visitors are expected at the show, which sold out before it opened. The exhibition is expected to average more than 300 people filing by the paintings each hour it is open. The museum has even extended its hours of operation to cope with the overwhelming demand to see the work of a man who lived 300 years ago.
"Maybe that our sales techniques are improving. I don't know," said Michiel Jonker, keeper of the collection at The Hague, as he speculated on the recent success of large shows such as the Vermeer exhibit. "It's a phenomena that I can't explain totally. We know it's happening also with so-called minor painters."
Although the larger public may only now be appreciating artists such as Cezanne and Vermeer, thieves have long recognized the value of their work. Security for paintings such as Vermeer's Girl in the Red Hat is both visible and constant.
The accepted wisdom is that forging a Vermeer is impossible. Robbery has been slightly easier in the past, with one of the paintings in the show having been stolen twice during its lifetime.
However, organizers of the both the Cezanne and Vermeer exhibitions have gone to great lengths to ensure that souvenirs from their shows are readily available. Merchandising of posters, cards, and other keepsakes should bring in more money than either artist ever dreamed of making during his lifetime.
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