Van Gogh Art Work Authenticated 120 Years After Death
- Details
- Category: Art, Museums, Galleries
- Published on Tuesday, 10 September 2013 08:56
- Written by Janet Walker
In a rare find for the art world, a previously unauthenticated and long considered fake painting, from Dutch master Vincent Van Gogh was unveiled after having been stored in the Norwegian attic of an art collector for over forty years.
Sunset at Montmajour, was authenticated by experts from the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and through letters the once scoffed at master wrote during his time in the South of France.
Picasso Hides A Stranger in The Blue Room
"A discovery of this caliber has never occurred in the history of the Van Gogh Museum. It has been rare that a new painting to Van Gogh's oeuvre can be added. But what extra special is that it is a pivotal piece in his oeuvre, and also a large painting of what many see as the culmination of his artistic achievement, his time in Arles in southern France." Axel Ruger, the museum's director said in a statement.
Sunset at Montmajour is the only authenticated artwork to be discovered since 1928. When discussing this rare masterpiece, museum curators stated "extensive research of Louis van Tilborgh and Teio Meedendorp, two senior researchers at the Van Gogh Museum, shows that this work of Van Gogh."
Celebrity Interview: Louis Lefebvre Curator Galerie Lefebvre & Fils, Paris
They elaborated, "We have art historical research on the style, performance, materials and context, and everything we found pointed out that this work of Van Gogh. Stylistically and technically there are numerous parallels with other Van Gogh paintings from the summer of 1888."
Vincent Van Gogh, (1853-1890), is highly regarded as one of the great master painters of the post-Impressionist period.
Painting with precision with dash brush strokes moving beyond the abbreviated brush strokes of earlier Impressionists leaders such as Monet, Van Gogh is known for his ability to capture the light and the brilliant use of colors associated with landscape, sunflowers and scenery from the South France and Greece.
In a ten year period it is reported that Van Gogh completed up to 2100 pieces of work. With the rare find of a new Van Gogh the hunt may be one for even more work created by the oft thought and labeled insane painter.
Intimate Paintings By Tennessee Williams Captivate Audiences With Rare Museum Showing
Van Gogh detailed his 'sickness' in letters, to his brother, describing what would be considered artists angst and frustration over his lack of acceptance today. His bi-polar mood swings became the foundation for his stay in a mental hospital. During this time he created many of the masterpieces known and lauded for their artistic value, expression and beauty today.
He is also known for slicing his ear off in an attempted suicide and painting a self portrait. Van Gogh was institutionalized Saint-Remy, France and during this time wrote, sketched and painted up to three pieces per day. Some of his most well know works were created during this time of apparent insanity. He died of what is considered a self inflicted gunshot wound.
His works are priceless and have been known to auction as high as forty million dollars. He died penniless and labeled insane.
Van Gogh's method can now be seen in the anniversary exhibition Van Gogh at work still to January 12, 2014 is open daily in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Sunset at Montmajour is displayed to the public from September 24 in this exhibition.
