Thaindian News

By Ranjan Bhaduri
Amsterdam, Feb 24, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Art curator Dirk Hannema had claimed having seven Vermeers, a few Rembrandts and a host of several different Vincent Van Gogh paintings. But he couldn’t make anyone believe the fact. In due course of time it’s now evident that every laugh laughed at the curator’s claim is now giving him the upper hand. Recent studies in expert art analysis have actually established the truth of the fact.

The one among many Vincent Van Gogh paintings namely “Le Blute-Fin Mill,” was indeed a work from the master as claimed by Dirk Hannema. The painting went on display for one and all on Wednesday at the Museum de Fundatie in the central Dutch town of Zwolle. Another, research curator Louis van Tilborgh stated that the painting imbibed certain aspects owing to the 19th century impressionist. It had sketches of large human figures against the backdrop of the landscape. The painting also depicts Parisians climbing wooden stars towards a windmill in the Montmartre district. Louis Van Tilborgh claimed it to be a work of the master while residing in Paris.

The fact however remains unaltered that this is the very first Vincent Van Gogh painting to be authenticated since 1995 and the sixth in the approved list of the artist’s paintings since the latest edition of the standard catalog (1970). Dirk Hannema had purchased the painting in 1975 from a Paris antique dealer who never recognized it’s true worth. Hannema however paid 5,000 Dutch guilders and also insured “Le Blute-Fin Mill” at 16 times higher than its buying price. Half of the 7,000 items in the museum happens to be Dirk Hannema’s own collection.