13/12/2001

A painting previously thought to be an anonymous work has now been identified as the only portrait completed of Paul Gauguin by Vincent van Gogh. The painting is now thought to be worth up to $ 7 million (€ 7.8 million) and will be exhibited at the Van Gogh museum, in Amsterdam on the 9th of February 2001. The painting was held in the museum’s vaults for thirty years and was only recognized as by being by van Gogh after scientific research showed that it was executed on a rough type of canvas (known as jute canvas), which the artist bought in Arles, when living with Gauguin in the south of France. The painting showing the profile of a man, had only been on public display once before in the Van Gogh Museum in 1987. (Andrew Moore)