An unknown painting has been attributed to Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) after an exhaustive investigation. Purchased for less than $50 at a garage sale in Minnesota, USA, in 2016, it is now estimated that its value could reach $15 million. LMI Group International, the firm owning the oil painting now under investigation, revealed that it is a work by Van Gogh titled 'Elimar,' one of the many pieces created by the renowned artist.
During his stay at a psychiatric hospital in Saint-Remy, in the south of France, between 1889 and 1890, Van Gogh is believed to have painted this work, according to investigators. More than 20 specialists from various fields participated in the authentication of the painting, using both traditional and scientific and technological techniques to confirm its authorship. LMI Group International, based in New York and specializing in the authentication of lost or forgotten artworks, conducted a four-year investigation.
As for the painting itself, dated 1889, it is revealed that Van Gogh may have been inspired by a work of the Danish artist Michael Ancher (1849-1927), specifically in the portrait of Niels Gaihede, a fisherman from Skagen. Although it is not signed, the word 'Elimar' was found on the sleeve of the jacket of the depicted character, linked to a novel by Hans Christian Andersen. The research included a detailed analysis of Van Gogh's biographical and historical context, as well as the materials used to create the work.
In the report released by LMI Group International, Van Gogh's dedication to reinterpreting works of other artists in his own style, using different colors and techniques, is mentioned. The inscription 'Elimar' in the painting, compared to other works of Van Gogh through mathematical analysis, along with a genetic analysis revealing the provenance of a hair attached to the painting, are key aspects in the authentication of the piece.
If the Van Gogh Museum were to confirm the attribution of 'Elimar' to Vincent van Gogh, it is speculated that the painting could exceed a value of $15 million, according to the media outlet Artsnews cited by El Cronista.
