Sometimes, a simple purchase can turn into something extraordinary. That’s what happened to an antiques collector in Minnesota who bought an old painting at a flea market for just $50.
What he didn’t know at the time was that the artwork could be worth $15 million.
The painting, an oil portrait of a fisherman smoking a pipe, caught the attention of art experts.
After a detailed investigation, specialists now believe it may be an original work by Vincent van Gogh, according to Ziare.
However, the collector who originally found it won’t see a fortune from the sale. He sold the piece to an art research company before its true value was known.
Years of Research and Testing
The company that bought the painting, LMI Group International, spent $30,000 on authentication.
Their team of historians, scientists, and curators studied the pigments, fibers, and artistic style.
The portrait, now called "Elimar" after an engraving on the canvas, shares many characteristics of Van Gogh’s known works.
Experts believe the artist painted it while he was at the Saint-Paul asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France, between May 1889 and May 1890.
The portrait is thought to be inspired by a work of Danish artist Michael Ancher. Instead of simply copying it, Van Gogh may have reinterpreted the image in his own style.
A Link to Van Gogh’s Past
Researchers say the subject matter fits into a recurring theme in Van Gogh’s life. He had an interest in fishermen, admiring both their solitude and the dangers they faced at sea.
Some of his earliest works focused on maritime life, making "Elimar" a possible return to his artistic roots.
Maxwell Anderson, a former curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was impressed when he first saw the painting.
Despite the strong evidence, official recognition remains uncertain. The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, which has the final say on authentication, has not yet approved the work.
A spokesperson from the museum stated that they follow a strict process for identifying genuine Van Gogh paintings.
They also noted that most submissions they receive turn out to be inauthentic. Until the museum gives its approval, "Elimar" will remain a fascinating mystery in the art world.
