Painting bought for just INR 4300 could be a Vincent Van Gogh masterpiece worth INR 130 crores!

A remarkable discovery has emerged from a humble garage sale in Minnesota, where an antique collector purchased a painting for just $50 (roughly INR 4300). This artwork, believed to be created by the renowned Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh, could be valued at an astonishing $15 million (approximately INR 130 crores). The painting, named ‘Elimar,’ has sparked excitement and intrigue in the art world as experts investigate its origins and authenticity.
The discovery of ‘Elimar’
According to ARTNews, in 2016, the collector stumbled upon ‘Elimar’ while browsing through a garage sale in Minnetonka, Minnesota. The painting depicts a fisherman with a white beard, smoking a pipe while mending his net on a deserted beach. Experts suggest that Van Gogh painted this piece in 1889 during his stay at the Saint-Paul psychiatric hospital in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France. This period was significant for Van Gogh, as he produced around 150 canvases, including famous works like ‘The Starry Night’ and ‘Irises’.
The artwork measures approximately 18 inches by 16.5 inches and features thick impasto oil strokes. The name ‘Elimar’ is inscribed in the lower right corner of the canvas, possibly referring to the fisherman portrayed in the painting.

Investigation by experts
Following its purchase, the painting caught the attention of LMI Group International, an art research firm based in New York. In 2019, they acquired ‘Elimar’ for an undisclosed amount and began an extensive four-year investigation into its authenticity. A team of 20 experts, including chemists and art historians, conducted thorough analyses of the painting's pigments and canvas fibres. Their findings revealed that the materials used matched those typical of Van Gogh's time.
As per ARTNews, in a comprehensive 450-page report, LMI Group concluded that ‘Elimar’ could indeed be a genuine Van Gogh masterpiece. They highlighted that all but one of the pigments used in the painting corresponded with those found in Van Gogh's known works. Maxwell L. Anderson, Chief Operating Officer of LMI Group, noted that this analysis offers new insights into Van Gogh's artistic practices, particularly his tendency to reinterpret works by other artists.
Is it really a Van Gogh painting?
So far, the authentication board of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam has not yet recognised all the promising discoveries made. According to PEOPLE, when asked for comments about 'Elimar,' the Amsterdam-based Van Gogh Museum said they had "considered the new information mentioned in the LMI Group's Elimar report." However, they maintained their previous stance from 2019, asserting, "Based on our previous opinion on the painting in 2019, we maintain our view that this is not an authentic painting by Vincent van Gogh." Art authenticator Richard Polsky- not involved in the research, said that for ‘Elimar’ to be deemed authentic, it would need approval from a scholar at the Van Gogh Museum.