Fill in the Blanks Exercise 3Online version Complete the text with the correct forms of the words. by Barbara Grayson 1 Han van Meegeren was a Dutch artist who became one of history's most infamous art con artists . Despite failing to achieve RENOWNED for his original paintings , he gained worldwide attention for his elaborate DECEIVE . Frustrated by the lack of recognition , van Meegeren decided to forge paintings in the style of Johannes Vermeer , a 17th - century master . Over the years , he COUNTERFEIT numerous artworks that fooled art dealers and experts alike . His ability to WITTY even the most respected critics elevated his status , but for all the wrong reasons . The NOTORIOUS of his actions reached its peak when he sold one of his forgeries to Hermann Göring during World War II , passing it off as an original Vermeer . After the war , van Meegeren was put on trial , not only for his crimes as a FORGERY but also for treason due to his collaboration with the Nazis . Ironically , the very skills that helped him forge paintings and deceive the art world became his only defense , as he had to prove that the paintings were fakes to avoid the more serious charge of treason . Although his trial resulted in a conviction for fraud , van Meegeren's notoriety ultimately brought him fame , transforming him into a kind of folk hero in the eyes of the public .
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