A Missing Van Gogh Unveiled

Reports on a technical examination of a painting by Vincent van Gogh, entitled "Ravine" (1889), carried out recently at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Using X-radiography and stereo-microscopy, the examination revealed that another painting, identified as "Wild Vegetation", lie...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Burlington magazine 2007-08, Vol.149 (1253), p.546-550
Main Authors: Chavannes, Meta, Van Tilborgh, Louis
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Art collecting
Art museums
Art sketches
Canvas
Outsider art
Paints
Ravines
Shorter Notices
Vegetation
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Reports on a technical examination of a painting by Vincent van Gogh, entitled "Ravine" (1889), carried out recently at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Using X-radiography and stereo-microscopy, the examination revealed that another painting, identified as "Wild Vegetation", lies hidden underneath. The work was executed during van Gogh's stay at the asylum at Saint-Rémy-de Provence, and from mention in his correspondence can be dated to 9 June 1889. The reuse of a canvas is exceptional at this late stage in the artist's career, and appears to have been an ad hoc solution on the failure of his requested painting materials to arrive on time. (Quotes from original text)
ISSN:0007-6287