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Incredible Details: An American Buys a Painting for $50, Only to Discover It’s a Rare Van Gogh Masterpiece Worth $15 Million

By Sama Marwan,

In an astonishing story that has once again surfaced in the art world, an art collector purchased a painting from a garage sale in Minnesota, USA, in 2016 for just $50. Years later, he discovered that it was one of the rare original works of the legendary Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh, now valued at approximately $15 million, according to a report by “IT” Argentine newspaper.

Van Gogh Masterpiece

The Full Story: How Was the Painting’s Authenticity Discovered?

  • In 2016, the buyer (whose name has not been disclosed) found the painting at a garage sale and had no idea of its real value.
  • The painting remained hanging in his home for several years until, in 2018, he decided to send photos of it to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam for verification.
  • Initially, the museum did not believe the painting was authentic, as it was not registered in any official catalog of Van Gogh’s documented works.
  • Later, in 2019, the painting was handed over to the LMI Group International, an art research organization that conducted extensive scientific tests over several years.
  • Finally, scientific tests, X-ray analysis, color composition studies, and brushstroke examination confirmed the painting’s authenticity, leading to a valuation of $15 million in a recent report.

Painting Details: A Hidden Artistic Treasure from 1889

  • Title: Elimar
  • Size: 18 × 16.5 inches
  • Material: Oil on canvas
  • Subject: The painting depicts an elderly fisherman with a white beard, smoking while repairing his net.
  • Year of Creation: 1889, just one year before Van Gogh’s tragic suicide in 1890.
Van Gogh Masterpiece

How Was the Painting’s Authenticity Confirmed?

  • Color and Brushstroke Analysis: Experts used X-ray imaging and layer analysis to match the pigments and brushstrokes with Van Gogh’s original works from that period.
  • Style Matching: Studies revealed that the painting’s style closely aligned with Van Gogh’s work during his time at Saint-Paul-de-Mausole in France, where he created many similar-themed paintings.
  • Historical Documentation: After cross-referencing the painting with Van Gogh’s letters and art records, researchers found indirect references suggesting the existence of this artwork.

How Did the Painting End Up in a Minnesota Garage Sale?

The exact history of how the painting traveled across decades remains unclear, but several theories suggest how it may have reached the United States:

  1. World War Art Looting: The painting could have been one of the many stolen artworks during World War II, later passing through multiple owners and losing its documented history.
  2. Ownership Changes Over Generations: A previous owner, unaware of its true value, might have sold or discarded it by mistake.
  3. Unofficial Trade: The artwork may have been taken out of Europe through unrecorded sales and later resold without recognition of its real worth.

What’s Next for the Painting?

  • The artwork is expected to go up for auction at a major global art event next year, where its value could exceed $15 million due to its rarity and intriguing backstory.
  • It may also be transferred to a prestigious museum, such as the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam or the Louvre, where it would be showcased as a newly discovered historical masterpiece.

Conclusion: Hidden Treasures Might Be Within Your Reach!

This story is a powerful reminder of the importance of paying attention to what we own—a real artistic treasure could be hiding in an unexpected place! Similar discoveries have happened before, such as:

  • An original Caravaggio painting found in an attic of a French home.
  • A rare Chopin manuscript discovered in a second-hand bookstore.

If you’re an antique collector, this might be the perfect time to check your belongings—you could be sitting on a priceless artifact without even knowing it!

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