A NEVER-SEEN-BEFORE Vincent Van Gogh painting worth $15 million was likely bought by an art fan at a garage sale in Minnesota – for a mere $50.
An astonishing oil portrait of a fisherman with a pipe in his mouth was discovered, dating back to 1889, the same year that van Gogh painted his iconic piece, The Starry Night. Reports suggest a possible connection between the two artworks.
The unbelievable creation was bought at a Minnesota garage sale by an anonymous antiques collector for under $50 a mere few years ago.
But now it’s estimated to be worth a whopping $15 million, according to a team of around 20 experts who have investigated the piece.
Former Metropolitan Museum of Art curator Maxwell Anderson told The Wall Street Journal: “[I was] struck by what I saw.”
He said the smile lines depicted on the fisherman’s face are of van Gogh’s style.
Adding to the intrigue of the find, researchers also uncovered a single red hair trapped within the paint of the portrait, resembling the famous red hair of the renowned artist himself.
Investigating the authenticity of the painting, Anderson collaborated with a team of conservators, scientists, and historians. Based on their research, they now strongly believe that the masterpiece was indeed created by the artistic genius, van Gogh.
Experts also matched red pigment in the painting to a brand of paint used in southern France in the late 19th century – where van Gogh was residing in a psychiatric ward at the time its thought he created the piece.
The piece is of a white bearded fisherman repairing his net with a pipe hanging out his mouth.
The word “Elimar” is also in the right-hand corner of the art – most likely the subject’s name.
Anderson said in a statement: “This moving likeness embodies van Gogh’s recurring theme of redemption, a concept frequently discussed in his letters and art.
“Through Elimar, van Gogh creates a form of spiritual self-portrait, allowing viewers to see the painter as he wished to be remembered.”
The painting still requires checks by the Van Gosh Museum in Amsterdam before it’s officially recognized as authentic.
Previously, the museum refused to attribute the artwork to Van Gogh when approached by its previous owner in December 2018.
While authenticating the art, the team of around 20 experts joined forces for the New York-based art research firm LMI Group – which bought the painting from the anonymous antiques collector in 2019.
LMI is confident that the art is genuine and said that the painting “is an emotionally rich, profoundly personal work created during the final and tumultuous chapter of van Gogh’s life.”
The report read: “The discovery of a previously unknown van Gogh painting should come as no surprise.
“It is well-known that van Gogh lost many works, gave away works to friends and was not particularly careful about any work he considered a study, of which there were many.”
Van Gogh is thought to have suffered from a combination of bipolar and borderline personality disorder, but was never diagnosed with anything.
The Dutch artist produced around 900 paintings during his lifetime before dying by suicide in 1890 at 37 years old.
Who was Vincent Van Gogh?
VINCENT van Gogh was a famous Post-Impressionist painter and considered to be one of the greatest Dutch artists after Rembrandt.
Born in the Netherlands in 1853, his vibrant and emotive pieces with striking colours, strong brushwork and contoured forms, helped shape the Expressionism movement.
Though largely unappreciated during his lifetime, his art gained immense popularity in the late 20th century.
His paintings now sell for record-breaking prices.
Van Gogh’s life was marked by personal struggles, which are often discussed alongside his artistic achievements.
He travelled extensively, living in places like England, Belgium, and France, where he drew inspiration from the art he encountered.
He tragically died in 1890, but his legacy continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.
