[MSN] NGV turns to Dutch for Van Gogh authentication

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NGV turns to Dutch for Van Gogh authentication

Arts Hub Australia
Wednesday, October 11, 2006

NGV Director Gerard Vaughan today explained the steps the institution is taking to address recent claims from British experts that the NGV’s Van Gogh painting, Head of a Man is an imposter.

The claims of fraud emerged in August when London's Sunday Times published claims by Van Gogh specialists that the work was a suspected forgery.

Keen to clear up the matter, the Melbourne gallery has revealed it will be working closely with the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, who will take the lead in analysing the 1886 work. Dr Vaughan recently met with senior research scholars at the Dutch museum, where the painting has just arrived after closure of the UK exhibition to which it had been loaned.

Van Gogh Museum experts will conduct a three-fold investigation of the work: scientific analysis, X-ray techniques, and visual connoisseurship. Their scholars are currently working on background for an upcoming catalogue of Van Gogh’s Paris Period paintings, so the timing is opportune.

“We continue to believe Head of a Man is by Van Gogh, as there is much evidence in support and to date, insufficient evidence to the contrary in the criticisms put forward," said Dr Vaughan.

"So many Van Gogh scholars have accepted the painting as authentic. However we have a completely open mind on the issue, and are committed to getting to the truth of the matter in regard to the painting. We look forward to this important collaboration with the Van Gogh Museum."

The analysis is expected to take several months.

The NGV first acquired the work from a French and British Contemporary Art exhibition which toured Australia in 1939-40 for a sum of 2,196 Australian pounds (Around $200,000 current AUD).

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