Minnesota Garage Sale Find Turns Out to Be a Van Gogh Portrait

Painting Bought at Minnesota Garage Sale Turns Out to Be a Van Gogh

A surprising discovery has been made after a painting purchased at a Minnesota garage sale in 2016 was identified as a previously unknown portrait by the renowned Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh. Experts commissioned by the art research firm LMI Group International confirmed the painting’s authenticity through a detailed analysis, marking it as a significant find in the art world.

A Portrait from Van Gogh’s Time in the Psychiatric Hospital

The painting, created during Van Gogh’s stay at a psychiatric hospital in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France, in 1889, is an oil-on-canvas portrait of a fisherman. The subject, a white-bearded man smoking a pipe and mending his fishing net, measures 45.7 cm by 41.9 cm (18 x 16.5 inches). Experts identified the artwork as a Van Gogh after an extensive four-year analysis of its canvas weave, paint pigments, and other key characteristics.

A “Translation” of a Danish Artist’s Work

The portrait is based on a painting by Danish artist Michael Ancher (1849–1927), one of many pieces where Van Gogh “translated” works by other artists. The inscription “Elimar” appears at the bottom right corner, adding intrigue to the portrait’s history. The name “Elimar” remains a mystery, but it may provide additional clues about the painting’s provenance.

Forensic Analysis and Hair Discovery

Further forensic analysis of the painting revealed a human hair embedded in the canvas. Upon testing, it was determined to be from a male, though attempts to match the DNA to Van Gogh’s descendants were unsuccessful due to the degraded state of the hair.

LMI Group’s chairman, Lawrence M. Shindell, emphasized the importance of combining scientific methods with traditional art authentication practices. “By integrating science and technology with historical context, analysis, and provenance research, we aim to enhance the resources available for authenticating art,” Shindell explained in a recent press release.

A History of Lost and Discarded Works

Despite the extensive analysis, the painting still awaits formal attribution by the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, which had previously declined to acknowledge the painting as Van Gogh’s when the prior owner approached the institution in December 2018. However, LMI remains confident in its authenticity, citing the fact that Van Gogh frequently lost, gave away, or was careless with his works. The discovery of an unaccounted-for painting should not be surprising, they argue, given the many pieces of Van Gogh’s art that were lost or discarded during his life.

The Final Chapter of Van Gogh’s Life

LMI describes the portrait as “an emotionally rich, profoundly personal work created during the final and tumultuous chapter of Van Gogh’s life.” The artist, who produced approximately 900 paintings during his lifetime, is believed to have suffered from bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, although these conditions were never formally diagnosed.

In 2020, researchers at the University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands concluded that Van Gogh likely experienced two brief psychotic episodes, possibly linked to delirium from alcohol withdrawal. These episodes occurred following the infamous incident in 1888 when Van Gogh cut off part of his own ear.

Van Gogh’s Legacy

Van Gogh died by suicide in 1890 at the age of 37, but his work has left an indelible mark on art history. While the Van Gogh Museum has not yet formally attributed this painting to the artist, the discovery of this unknown piece adds another layer to the complex and fascinating life of one of the world’s most iconic artists.

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