A case of mistaken identity: Concerning the photographic portrait of Vincent van Gogh, age thirteen

• Published in: Oud-Holland 2018, Vol.131 (3-4), p.193-206
• Main Authors: Meedendorp, Teio, Vasseur, Yves
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0030-672X; 1875-0176; 0030-672X
• DOI: 10.1163/18750176-1310304008

A photographic portrait that was generally accepted to be an image of a thirteen year old Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), now appears to be that of his brother Theo (1857-1891) at the age of fifteen. It was identified as a young Vincent by Mark Edo Tralbaut in 1957, when he presented the image for the first time at an exhibition. First doubts about the identity of the portrayed appeared in 2014. Subsequent research learned that the photograph, which was taken in Brussels by Balduin Schwarz, could not be a thirteen year old Vincent, because Schwarz only came to Brussels in 1870 when Vincent was already seventeen years old, and the person in the image certainly appears to be younger. Theo moved to Brussels in January 1873 to work in the art gallery Goupil & Cie, and is known to have had his portrait taken there shortly after arrival. From various sources it is known that the brothers shared common facial features, and although comparison with the only 'other' known photo portrait of Vincent, when he was 19 years old, does show some likeness with the Schwarz photograph, other images of Theo proved to be far more convincing when placed next to it. This was corroborated by research carried out by forensic specialists.