Art news is all a-buzz about a painting that had been thought to be a worthless fake and stored for decades in the attic of a Norwegian home. It has now been identified as an authentic painting by Vincent Van Gogh.
After extensive research, Sunset at Montmajour, is now considered worth millions instead of being fodder for a yard sale. Alex Reuger, director of the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam (who seems to be almost hyperventilating in this photo) said, "A discovery of this magnitude has never before occurred."
Van Gogh apparently wasn't thrilled with this painting of a sunset, trees and sky. According to an Associated Press report, he made reference to it in a few letters written the summer of 1888 when he created the work. He thought the painting flawed.
Yet people are suddenly enthralled with its story, the name, who touched it. So what changed? It's still a muddy, poorly composed painting. It's probably the result of a bad day with the paint brush, with the sun setting too fast, maybe a bothersome wind and I'll bet there are dead bugs stuck in the paint. Vincent didn't like it. Neither did anyone else until now. The emperor is still naked.
However, this was the same summer he created his masterpiece, Sunflowers.
And one of my very favorites, the Langlois Bridge at Arles with Women Washing.
I guess my take-away is to Keep on Trying. With every effort something is learned.
And for quality control, burn the bad ones.
9 comments:
Yep that's the truth! BFD! and it is an unattractive painting BUT!!! the big BUT- there will be no more painted by this man, this artist whose life and death enthralled after the fact. I dunno, Leenie, It's all bullshite I reckon, like it or don't- as for artists statements- meh, just paint don't talk- the statements limit the viewers own imagination don't you think. (son in art school - loads of BS- intolerable!)One would think the emperor would feel the cold breeze...
I dunno...I kind of like it.
Isn't it interesting (& frustrating) that a BAD painting by an old master is still worth a million times more than a GOOD painting by you?
ha ha ha - excellent point!
Interesting he didn't ditch it or fix it.
I once exhibited next to a fine artist who told he he brought nothing but seconds to shows. All the prime work was in a warehouse, to be revealed after death.
Ah! To come across such a thing at a garage sale/Goodwill is one of my fondest dreams.
That and to recognize it for what it is!
Pearl
When a artist is gone, and can no longer create any more masterpieces, I can totally understand the allure of finding a new painting.
I kind of like it also...
Jen
Oh, and Mr. Emperor, may I just add that your ears are stunning in this light. What? Oh, of course. Let me come round to the other side.
Yes, it really isn't his best work, is it!
But, geniuses that we all are, we are bound to turn out a few duds.
I remember a most wonderful Van Gogh drawing show in London in 1964 (yes, really!)
I was utterly bowled over.
Greetings from NY!
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