The painting will be DNA analyzed

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Usually, DNA tests help establish consanguinity in controversial family histories, and in forensics, such tests help find criminals. There was an application of this technology in high art: DNA analysis should reveal the authorship of "Landscape with Peonies", which so far are inclined to rank as the legacy of Vincent Van Gogh.

Very deep under the layers of paint, the researchers found a long red hair, which, with a high degree of probability, belongs to the author of the canvas. Hair 8 cm long was discovered by a restorer, and now this "evidence" has become the only clue that can reveal the secret of the painting.

In Holland, the descendants of Van Gogh live to this day, so it is enough to simply compare the DNA of the found hair with their DNA. In any case, the examination will make it possible to answer at least one question: was Van Gogh the author of "Landscape with Peonies" or not. In the event of a negative result, the name of the artist will be difficult to establish, but at least a long-standing dispute between art critics will be resolved.

The owner of the canvas, the collector Marcus Rubrox, inherited "Landscape with Peonies" from his father. He is sure that the author of the painting found in 1977 in the attic is Van Gogh. Several experts think the same, but the staff of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam seriously doubt it. In their opinion, the strokes are not made in the style of the great artist, and "Landscape with Peonies" is just a good fake.

DNA analysis will determine not only the possible belonging of the painting to the heritage of Van Gogh, but if the result is positive, it can significantly affect its price. According to "Lenta.ru", the cost of the painting in this case can be more than 60 million US dollars.