Dutch museum says still life is by Vincent van Gogh

Associated Press

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — It was, it wasn’t, it is: A still life once thought to be by Vincent van Gogh but later downgraded to being the work of an anonymous artist is indeed by the tormented Dutch impressionist himself, researchers announced Tuesday.

The process leading to the confirmation of the painting’s authenticity reads like a cold case detective story. A new X-ray technique helped experts re-examine what they already knew about “Still life with meadow flowers and roses” and draw on a growing pool of scholarly Van Gogh research.

A detailed X-ray of an underlying painting of two wrestlers and knowledge of the painter’s period at a Belgian art academy led a team of researchers to conclude that the painting really is by Van Gogh.

The painting is owned by the Kroeller-Mueller Museum in the central Netherlands and was being hung there Tuesday among its other Van Gogh works.

There was no real eureka moment for experts studying the still life, said Louis van Tilborgh, a senior researcher at Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum who took part in the confirmation process.

“All the pieces just fell into place,” he told The Associated Press.

The painting, on a 40×31 inch canvas, was bought by the Kroeller-Mueller Museum in 1974 as a Van Gogh. The work was thought to come from the artist’s period living with his brother Theo in Paris from late 1886.

“But when they hung it (in the museum), doubts crept in” about its authenticity, said Van Tilborgh.

Experts thought the canvas was too large for that period, the depiction of a vase brimming over with flowers and yet more flowers lying on a table in the foreground was too exuberant, too busy. The signature was in an unusual position for Van Gogh — the top right hand corner.

With the doubts piling up, the museum in 2003 decided to attribute the painting to an anonymous artist instead of to Van Gogh.

But the detective work did not end there.

An X-ray taken five years earlier had already revealed an indistinct image of the wrestlers and continued to interest researchers. Now, a new more detailed X-ray has shown the wrestlers in more detail, along with the brush strokes and pigments used. They all pointed back to Van Gogh.

“You can see the wrestlers more clearly and the fact that they are wearing loin cloths,” said Van Tilborgh.

Having models pose half-naked was a defining characteristic of the Antwerp academy where Van Gogh studied in early 1886. So was the size of the canvas, the Kroeller-Mueller Museum said.

Vincent wrote to his brother about needing the large canvas, new brushes and paint. Theo helped the penniless artist buy the materials and a week later Van Gogh wrote back that he was delighted with the painting of two wrestlers.

Van Tilborgh said the brush strokes and pigments in the wrestlers painting also corresponded with what experts now know about Van Gogh’s work in Antwerp.

The wrestlers also help explain the “uncharacteristic exuberance” of the floral still life, the Kroeller-Mueller Museum statement said: Van Gogh had to cover up all of the old image with his new work.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Traffic slows as it moves around the bend of northbound I-5 through north Everett on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Paving project will close I-5 lanes in Everett

Crews will close up to 4 lanes overnight for weeks to complete the $8.1 million repairs.

Top, from left: Bill Wheeler, Erica Weir and Mason Rutledge. Bottom, from left: Sam Hem, Steven Sullivan.
Candidates seek open District 1 seat in crowded race

Five people are aiming to take the open seat left after current council member Mary Fosse announced she would not run for reelection.

From left to right, Lynnwood City Council Position 3 candidates Josh Binda, Tyler Hall and Bryce Owings.
Position 3 candidates focus on affordability amid city’s growth

City Council Vice President Josh Binda is seeking a second term against challengers Tyler Hall and Bryce Owings.

South County Fire plans push-in ceremony for newest fire engine

Anybody who attends will have the opportunity to help push the engine into the station.

District 1 candidates talk financial priorities, student needs

Three newcomers — Carson Sanderson, Arun Sharma and Brian Travis — are eyeing the vacant seat on the district’s board of directors.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish man, who trained extremists, sentenced for illegal gun possession

An FBI investigation revealed Benton posted violent extremist content, neo-Nazi propaganda, and anti-Semitic materials on social media.

Arlington
Quickly contained brush fires force I-5 closure near Arlington

The fires started in the early afternoon and closed the northbound lanes of I-5 near milepost 208 until about 4:15 p.m. on Monday.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Garage strike over for now in Lynnwood, Edmonds and Snohomish

Union leaders say strike could return if “fair” negotiations do not happen.

Contributed photo
Golden Bough performs at City Park in Edmonds on Sunday as part of the Edmonds Summer Concert Series.
Coming Events in Snohomish County

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

Richard Wong, center, the 777-X wing engineering senior manager, cheers as the first hole is drilled in the 777-8 Freighter wing spar on Monday, July 21, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing starts production of first 777X Freighter

The drilling of a hole in Everett starts a new chapter at Boeing.

Screenshot from a video given by a bystander to police. The Cessna plane is floating in the water near Lighthouse Park in Mulkilteo as the three occupants try to escape. Rescuers wait to help nearby. (Photo provided by Mulkiteo Police Department)
Three Cessna plane occupants crash in Puget Sound, all OK

Bystanders rushed to help after the emergency landing took place near Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo.

Former Everett bar owner sentenced to at least 109 years in prison

Christian Sayre was convicted of 16 felonies relating to sexual abuse. The sentence comes after four trials spanning more than five months.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.