After more than a century of being stored away, a Vincent Van Gogh painting of a Parisian street is now on public display.
Since it was painted in 1887, A Street Scene in Montmartre has spent most of its time in the possession of a French family.
When it is put up for auction the following month, Sotheby's predicts it might bring in up to eight million euros (£6.9 million).
According to Van Gogh specialist Martin Bailey, this is "the first time we can see it properly." Small copies, frequently in black and white, have been produced in the past.
It's fascinating because it's a Van Gogh painting that has been kept hidden ever since it was taken off the artist's easel, according to Mr. Bailey. Only the owners and their friends knew it because it had always been in private collections.
About the painting
Van Gogh'sMontmartre painting is a beautiful masterpiece that captures the essence of the famous Parisian hill, Montmartre.
It's a fascinating image because it bridges the gap between Van Gogh's earthy, gloomy paintings from his time in the Netherlands and his vibrant Provence paintings.
He first encountered the Impressionists in Paris, which inspired him to experiment with color.
The painting portrays a bustling and vibrant scene of the Montmartre district. The viewer can see the cobblestone streets, quaint buildings, and bustling crowds of people going about their daily lives. The use of bright and bold colors in the painting captures the energy and excitement of the place.
The painting is dominated by a large windmill that rises high above the surrounding buildings. The windmill symbolizes Montmartre's history as a rural village where windmills were once a common sight. The windmill is painted in bold shades of blue and green, contrasting against the warm tones of the buildings and streets.
One of the most striking aspects of the painting is Van Gogh's use of light. The bright sunlight in the image creates a sense of warmth and happiness, making the viewer feel like they are right there in the midst of the action. The shadows and reflections in the painting add depth and texture, creating a sense of movement and life.
Overall, Van Gogh's Montmartre painting is a masterpiece that captures the vibrant spirit of one of Paris's most famous neighborhoods. The use of bold colors, light, and texture creates a sense of energy and excitement that makes the painting genuinely unique.
It is one of a group of paintings that Van Gogh produced in 1886 and 1887 while staying with his brother Theo not far from the street shown in the image.
According to Mr. Bailey, who maintains a blog on Van Gogh for The Art Newspaper, the projected price tag of anywhere from five to eight million euros illustrates that the artist's works in Paris do not command the "mega sums" of his works in Provence.
“But at an auction, one simply never knows what will happen until the hammer drops. The Far East is now showing much interest in Van Gogh, making the market for his works truly international.”
Before its sale on March 25th, the painting will be exhibited in Sotheby's auction houses in Paris, Amsterdam, and Hong Kong.
"The appearance on the market of a work of this caliber, and from such an iconic series, is undoubtedly a major event," Sotheby's stated.
When the image was painted, Montmartre was still a somewhat rural area. Behind several wandering residents is a prominent windmill. At the time, work was still being done on the famed Sacré-Coeur church, which now dominates the neighborhood.
In 1888, Van Gogh traveled from Paris to the south of France. July 1890 saw his passing close to Paris.
The enduring legacy of Van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch post-impressionist painter widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential artists of all time.
He was born on March 30, 1853, in the Netherlands and began his artistic career as a young adult after working in several other professions.
Van Gogh's paintings are known for their bold use of color, expressive brushstrokes, and emotionally charged subject matter. His unique style set him apart from other artists of his time, and his work profoundly impacted the art world.
Despite his artistic talent, Van Gogh's life was plagued by poverty, mental illness, and personal struggles. He suffered from episodes of depression and anxiety throughout his life and eventually took his own life in 1890 at 37.
During his brief career, Van Gogh created over 2,000 works of art, including some of the most famous paintings in the world. Among his most well-known works are "Starry Night," "Sunflowers," and "The Potato Eaters."
His paintings are housed in some of the world's most prestigious museums, including the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. Van Gogh's legacy has continued to grow in the years since his death, with his paintings inspiring countless artists and art enthusiasts.
He is widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in the development of modern art, and his work continues to be celebrated and studied worldwide.
Edited by- Whitney Edna Ibe
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