Hidden Vincent Van Gogh Self-Portrait Discovered
A self-portrait of Vincent van Gogh was uncovered, hidden behind one of his paintings, by experts at the National Galleries of Scotland.
Photo: National Galleries of Scotland
Hidden for more than a century, the self-portrait remained concealed beneath layers of glue and cardboard on the back of his famous painting ‘Head of a Peasant Woman.’
’Head of a Peasant Woman’ is one of Vincent van Gogh’s earlier works, painted during his time in Nuenen, a small village in the Netherlands, between 1884 and 1885.
Experts at the National Galleries of Scotland uncovered the hidden artwork using X-ray examinations, revealing a haunting glimpse of a bearded figure staring intensely at the viewer.
The hidden painting likely dates to a pivotal period in Van Gogh’s career when he moved to Paris and encountered the work of the French Impressionists.
This exposure profoundly impacted him, inspiring the vibrant and expressive style for which he is now celebrated.
Vincent van Gogh is one of the most celebrated and influential artists in history.
Van Gogh’s early works, often referred to as his "Nuenen period," were heavily inspired by the lives of peasants and working-class people.
His famous painting The Potato Eaters (1885) reflects this focus, portraying the harshness and simplicity of rural life.
These early pieces are marked by dark tones and earthy colors, influenced by the Dutch masters.
It wasn’t until Van Gogh moved to Paris in 1886, where he was exposed to the vibrant work of the French Impressionists, that his style began to transform.
The Parisian art scene introduced him to new ways of thinking about colour, light, and form, pushing him to experiment with brighter hues and bolder brushstrokes.
This period marked a shift toward the more dynamic and expressive work that would define the later years of his career.
Artists like Claude Monet and Georges Seurat greatly inspired him, and the work of his contemporaries helped him develop his signature style, a combination of expressive colours and impassioned, swirling brushstrokes.
Van Gogh’s life was deeply affected by his struggles with mental health, which played a significant role in both his artistic output and personal relationships.
Perhaps his most famous episode occurred in 1888 when, after a heated argument with fellow artist Paul Gauguin, Van Gogh famously cut off part of his ear.
His mental health continued to deteriorate, leading him to seek treatment in psychiatric institutions, where he created some of his most iconic works, including Starry Night(1889).
This masterpiece, painted during his time at the asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, is a swirling, dreamlike depiction of the night sky, capturing both the beauty and turbulence of Van Gogh's inner world.
Tragically, Van Gogh’s mental health continued to decline, and in 1890, at the age of 37, he died from a gunshot wound in what is widely believed to be suicide.
His untimely death marked the end of a short but prolific artistic career - it was only after his death that Van Gogh gained the recognition he deserved.
His work had a profound influence on future art movements, particularly Expressionism and Fauvism.
His passionate use of colour and unique ability to convey emotion through brushstrokes have made him one of the most beloved and studied artists in history.
Today, his paintings, such as Sunflowers, Irises, Wheatfield with Crows, and The Bedroom, are celebrated for their emotional depth and vivid, almost otherworldly beauty.
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