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Arts & Culture
31 January 2025

Unknown Van Gogh Painting Discovered At Minnesota Garage Sale

Experts confirm the $50 find could hold significant historical value.

A remarkable discovery emerged from the depths of Minnesota, where art enthusiasts believe they have unearthed long-lost work by the iconic Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh. This stunning find, identified as "Elimar," was purchased for just $50 at a garage sale, and is now the center of attention, undergoing rigorous analysis by expert art historians and researchers.

The painting, created during Van Gogh’s turbulent period at the Saint-Paul psychiatric hospital in southern France, dates back to 1889. Measuring 18 inches by 16.5 inches, this oil-on-canvas piece depicts an elderly fisherman with white hair, appearing contemplatively as he works on repairing his net, pipe clamped firmly between his teeth. Inscribed with the name “Elimar” at the bottom right corner, it draws its inspiration from Danish artist Michael Ancher’s earlier work. Van Gogh had been known to create interpretations of other artists’ pieces, referring to these adaptations as “translations.”

The LMI Group, the New York-based art research firm responsible for the analysis, has dedicated four years to studying the painting’s composition, quality, and provenance. Lawrence M. Shindell, chairman of LMI Group, emphasized their combined approach, stating, "By integrating science and technology with traditional tools of connoisseurship, historical contexts, formal analysis, and provenance research, we aim to expand and tailor the resources available for art authentication based on the unique properties of the works under our care." Their extensive research, which also included DNA testing, confirmed the discovery of human hair embedded within the canvas—pointing toward it belonging to a male, though matching it to Van Gogh’s descendants proved inconclusive.

Notably, the pigments used, particularly the geranium lake red, raised eyebrows. Previous assumptions suggested this pigment was patented only after Van Gogh's death, which would have undermined the painting's claims of authenticity. After thorough legal investigation, researchers uncovered evidence of this red pigment existing as early as 1883, allowing the possibility of its use by Van Gogh during his time.

Despite the excitement, it's important to note the skepticism around the attribution's acceptance. The Van Gogh Museum had previously declined to authenticate the work when shown by its former owner back in December 2018. Their assessment highlighted perceived stylistic discrepancies, leaving LMI Group and the art community to engage heavily with the megastars of the art world as they attempt to bridge the gap toward acceptance.

Robert Snell, co-owner and fine arts specialist of Revere Auctions, noted this conundrum: "The hardest hurdle is the provenance, which is the history of ownership for the painting. Trying to figure out how the piece ended up at a garage sale in Minneapolis is really the $15 million mystery.” The path from the artist's palette to the local garage sale is not well-known. Many Van Gogh paintings were lost over the years, either gifted away by the artist himself or simply overlooked until recent analyses spark new interest.

Academic discussions surrounding these findings exist alongside the inherent speculation about Van Gogh’s life—a man often tormented by mental health issues. He famously underwent psychotic episodes leading to his ultimate demise by suicide at the age of 37. Though his creative legacy thrives, the dynamic of finding lost works illuminates the mysteries still wrapped around his existence. His documented psychiatric battles emerged parallel to his most famed pieces, including "The Starry Night" and "Irises."

LMI Group’s analysis concludes with recognition of the importance of new findings within the broader Van Gogh narrative, illuminating the emotional intensity inherent to the artist's process. Snell mentioned the painting's potential value of reach $15 million if verified, but cautioned against rushing conclusions without solid backing from established figures within the art community.

While conclusive attribution remains to be seen, the art world continues to hold its breath, enraptured by the possibility of this unexpected find, which could offer fresh insights, spark renewed interest, and rewrite the artist's history. For now, the debate endures as scholars await the museum's response, already reflecting on how this unique blend of artistry and chance discovery transforms our connections to legendary artists like Van Gogh.