Vincent van Gogh: Is a Lost Landscape Painting Rediscovered?
The Controversy over Authenticity
For decades, art historians have debated the authenticity of many paintings attributed to Vincent van Gogh. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, doubts intensified, with some experts suggesting that up to 45 van Gogh works in major museums could be fakes. However, recent advancements in authentication techniques have led to a shift in this trend.
High-Tech Authentication Tools
High-tech tools, such as technical analysis and pigment identification, have enabled researchers to re-evaluate previously questionable works. As a result, several paintings once dismissed as fakes have been authenticated, including “Sunset at Montmajour” and “Vase With Poppies.”
A Resurfaced Landscape
In a recent development, a controversial art collector named Stuart Pivar has unveiled a landscape painting that he believes may be a lost work by Vincent van Gogh. The painting depicts wheat fields in Auvers, France, where the artist spent his final months.
Pivar’s Controversial Past
Pivar is a polarizing figure in the art world, known for his litigious nature and association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Despite this, he insists that he acquired the painting legitimately at an auction outside of Paris.
The Painting’s Characteristics
Michael Mezzatesta, director emeritus of the Duke University Museum of Art, has examined the painting and noted its pristine condition and consistency with Van Gogh’s late-career techniques. The canvas is coarse burlap, and the signature “Vincent” appears on the reverse, along with what appears to be the date “1890” in fugitive walnut brown ink.
The Van Gogh Museum’s Involvement
Pivar has reached out to the Amsterdam-based Van Gogh Museum for authentication. Despite being closed due to the pandemic, the museum has made an exception for Pivar’s request. If authenticated, the painting would be the largest in Van Gogh’s oeuvre and the only one painted on a square canvas.
The Importance of Provenance
The painting’s label indicates that it was previously owned by Jonas Netter, a prominent collector who promoted Amedeo Modigliani and other Montparnasse artists. However, the painting’s exact provenance remains shrouded in mystery, with Pivar promising anonymity to those who originally possessed it.
The Ongoing Debate
The authentication of the painting is far from certain. The Van Gogh Museum receives numerous authentication requests annually, and only a small percentage merit further study. Whether “Auvers, 1890” will be one of the fortunate few remains to be seen.
The Significance of the Discovery
If authenticated, the discovery of this lost landscape painting would be a major event in the art world. It would expand Van Gogh’s known body of work and shed new light on his final months. However, the controversy surrounding Pivar’s involvement and the painting’s disputed origins will likely continue to fuel debate for years to come.