The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam unveiled a new painting Monday from the famous artist, a work called “Sunset at Montmajour” that he did in Arles in 1888.
That time frame was when the artist was at his best, The New York Times reported.
“For the first time in the history of the museum, that is in the past 40 years, a substantial capital new work of van Gogh has been discovered that was completely unknown in the literature,” said Axel Ruger, the museum’s director, in The New York Times. “He is one of the most famous artists in the world and we always think we’ve seen everything and we know everything, and now we’re able to add a significant new work to his oeuvre.”
Van Gogh created the painting in the same period he finished “The Sunflowers,” “The Yellow House” and “The Bedroom.” It shows a rocky landscaped around a vineyard hill — Montmajour — in Provence, in the south of France, with the Benedictine Abbey ruins in the background.
“It is a work from the most important period of his life, when he created his substantial masterpieces,” Mr. Ruger said.
The painting was part of a private family collection for years. The museum refused to release more information, except to say it had been authenticated over the past couple of years, The New York Times reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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