The Netherlands’ Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Maxima have been painted in the style of legendary artist Pablo Picasso by copycat painter Geert Jan Jansen.
The painting will be exhibited at Zeist Castle in the centre of the Netherlands in an exhibition called ‘Net Echt’, which translates as ‘Just Like Real’, from April 15, after Jansen decided to depict them in Picasso’s trademark cubist fashion.
He said: “The royal couple are always shown in an official way, at a photo-call or something, the hair well combed and groomed. I portrayed them differently.
“I decided painting them like Picasso would be the best. Picasso was often told by people whose portraits he painted that there was no likeness. He would answer them by saying, ‘Just wait, in 10 year’s time there is more resemblance,’ but I think my painting shows the resemblance already.”
Jan Jansen is famous for his ability to pass off his paintings as the work of world famous painters.
He was once arrested in France, but escaped jail because the buyers of his paintings refused to come forward to press charges.
The paintings at the Zeist exhibition will be sold with a certificate confirming they are ‘real’ fakes.
Prince Willem-Alexander
Princess Maxima
