As the unrest in Syria continues, fear of US involvement in the conflict grows and the anniversaries of the 9/11 and Benghazi attacks approach, the headlines for this week seem drab. Luckily, one of today’s top trending stories involving a canvas in an attic shows that good news comes even during bleak weeks. This trending news Monday, we’re highlighting the lost van Gogh.
One of art’s most appealing features is its ability to transcend mortality. From the early cave drawings to the van Gogh in the attic, works can sustain life far beyond that of the artist—perhaps comforting news to the few who are recognized for their craft. Although underappreciated in his own lifetime, Vincent van Gogh’s work exists as some of the most recognizable and popular art pieces in the world today–including “Sunflowers,” “Starry Night” and “Irises.”
In 1928—almost thirty years after the artist’s death—the last full-sized van Gogh canvas surfaced.
Today, the Van Gogh Museum unveiled a newly discovered painting, “Sunset at Montmajour.” Despite spending a century in the shadows, the Van Gogh Museum pinpointed the exact date (July 4, 1888) and location (Montmajour hill in Arles, France) van Gogh painted “Sunset at Montmajour” based on letters he wrote to his brother, Theo. The museum considers 1888 (two years before the artist died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound) van Gogh’s most important year of work.
While the museum released little on how they acquired the painting, they did offer that the Burlington Magazine will publish the story of its discovery in the publication’s October issue, reports CNN. They added that the work was among Theo van Gogh’s collection, was sold in 1901 and after the museum originally denied the painting in the 1990s, the owner placed the piece in his attic. Technological advancements, in addition to the van Gogh letters, helped the museum to eventually authenticate “Sunset at Montmajour” as van Gogh’s.
“Sunest at Montmajour” will go on display at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam on September 24.
While he might not have had a chance to witness his work’s appreciation (or reap the millions of dollars his paintings are now worth), van Gogh’s story shows the sheer power inherent in art. In the 120 years since his death, van Gogh’s works have lived on to inspire and teach people all over the world; they convey messages and evoke emotions without limitations of language, culture or time. With that and in their appreciation for his work, perhaps the world can learn a lesson or two from van Gogh.
Cover Photo Source: wikiphotophile via Flickr
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://wpmaster.sjadv.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Cassandra-Bremer-Our-Space-Photo-e1402061863316.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Cassandra is a Content Manager and Developer at SJG. She earned her BA from Fontbonne University in 2011. Outside the office, she enjoys an active, healthy and well-rounded lifestyle including reading, writing, running, golfing, watching films, listening to music, taking photographs, and consuming media and social media.[/author_info] [/author]