A $50 garage sale purchase in Minnesota could turn out to be a $15 million masterpiece by Vincent van Gogh, but experts are still debating its authenticity.
At a Glance
- A woman bought a $50 painting at a Minnesota garage sale, potentially an original Vincent van Gogh
- The painting, titled “Elimar,” depicts an old fisherman and could be worth up to $15 million
- Experts believe van Gogh may have painted it in 1889 during his stay at a psychiatric institution
- LMI Group International acquired the painting and conducted a four-year analysis
- Final authentication from the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is still pending
An Unexpected Discovery
In a twist of fate that seems almost too good to be true, a woman’s $50 purchase at a Minnesota garage sale may have turned into a multi-million dollar windfall.
That’s some find!
The oil painting, which depicts an old fisherman smoking a pipe, is now believed to be an original work by the renowned Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh. Titled “Elimar,” this potential masterpiece could be worth up to $15 million if authenticated, marking one of the most extraordinary finds in recent art history.
The painting’s journey from obscurity to potential fame began when it caught the eye of art research firm LMI Group International. Recognizing its potential significance, the company acquired the piece in 2019 for an undisclosed sum, setting in motion a meticulous four-year analysis to determine its authenticity.
Experts believe that if genuine, van Gogh would have painted “Elimar” in 1889 during his stay at the Saint-Paul psychiatric sanitarium in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France. This period was a tumultuous yet prolific time for the artist, known for producing some of his most iconic works.
“The analysis conducted on this distinctive painting provides fresh insight into the oeuvre of van Gogh, particularly as it relates to his practice of reinterpreting works by other artists,” Maxwell Anderson, Chief Operating Officer of LMI Group, said.
The painting is more than just a portrait; it’s believed to embody van Gogh’s recurring theme of redemption. Anderson further explained, “This moving likeness embodies van Gogh’s recurring theme of redemption, a concept frequently discussed in his letters and art. Through Elimar, van Gogh creates a form of spiritual self-portrait, allowing viewers to see the painter as he wished to be remembered.”
The Road to Authentication
While the initial analysis by LMI Group has concluded that the painting is authentic, the final verdict rests with the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
Their approval is crucial for official recognition in the art world. However, the discovery of previously unknown van Gogh paintings is not unprecedented.
How many more undiscovered works might there be out there?