Previously unknown full-sized Van Gogh authenticated, first since 1928

[Alessandra Kelley]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24014186

"Sunset at Montmajour" is the first full-sized undiscovered Van Gogh to be authenticated since 1928.

The landscape canvas depicts a wild green area with twisted trees.

It was discovered by the heirs of a Norwegian industrialist in 1970, already banished to the attic because its authenticity had been doubted. In 1991 the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam said it was not authentic, partly owing to a lack of signature.

But a recent two-year investigation and more up-to-date tests have verified as far as one can that this truly is a specific work described by Van Gogh to his brother as being painted on July 4, 1888. The spot where Van Gogh sat to paint has also been located.

 

[mirandashell]

That's pretty cool! Hopefully they will let a museum display it.

 

[mirandashell]

Although, I can see why it would be doubted, just looking it. It doesn't really look like one of his.

But I'll take the expert's word for it.

 

[Alessandra Kelley]

I looks like Van Gogh's work to me. I'm no expert, but the Art Institute of Chicago has lots of Van Goghs of different subjects and I've spent a lot of time looking at them.

It appears to have a crudton of old yellowed varnish over it, but that's pretty normal for old uncleaned paintings.

For similar authenticated Van Goghs, see:
http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/vincent-van-gogh/landscape-with-trees-and-figures-1889
http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/vincent-van-gogh/landscape-under-a-stormy-sky-1888
http://www.paintinghere.org/painting/landscape_with_olive_trees-4355.html

 

[aimeestates]

I can see why someone might question it. He's usually got more of a wave going on, and the strokes are pretty broad, too, but the style still fits. That's a pretty amazing rediscovery.

 

[muravyets]

Wow! I love things like this. It's so exciting. I, too, can see why it would be doubted, but the fact that he described it in a letter to Theo is pretty much what wins me over without being able to see it in person. A lot of what makes a Van Gogh doesn't carry over well in photographs, imo.

 

[mirandashell]

That's very true. I haven't seen it in the flesh so should really keep my trap shut.

But you know.... there's so many fakes hanging in galleries for many years that it kind of destroys your faith.