A shocking discovery at a Minnesota garage sale has unveiled a potential $15 million masterpiece by Vincent van Gogh. The painting, purchased for a mere $50, could be one of hundreds of lost works by the iconic artist. This revelation has sent shockwaves through the art world, igniting debates about the authenticity of “lost” paintings and the potential for everyday Americans to stumble upon priceless treasures. From Garage Sale to Art World Sensation The painting, titled “Elimar,” depicts a fisherman with a pipe repairing a net. It was created in 1889 while van Gogh was in the Saint-Paul sanitarium in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France. The LMI Group International spent four years authenticating the painting using advanced techniques. These methods included canvas weave analysis, pigment examination, and composition study. “LMI Group’s data-based approach to verifying authorship of this painting represents a new standard of confidence for bringing to light unknown or forgotten works by important artists,” Lawrence M. Shindell, LMI Group’s chairman said in a statement. Unraveling the Mystery The painting features an egg-white temporary finish, a technique van Gogh used to protect his works. This detail adds credibility to the claim of authenticity. A mathematical comparison of the “Elimar” inscription to van Gogh’s other signatures showed significant similarities. The letters in the name “Elimar” matched 94% with other letters in Van Gogh’s works. The name “Elimar” is linked to a character from a novel by Hans Christian Andersen, a favorite author of Van Gogh. This connection further supports the painting’s potential authenticity. Controversy and Skepticism Despite the LMI Group’s findings, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam has yet to attribute the painting to van Gogh. This hesitation has sparked debate within the art community. An attempt to match DNA from a hair found in the canvas to van Gogh’s descendants was unsuccessful due to the hair’s degraded state. However, the hair belonged to a red-haired man, which aligns with van Gogh’s physical description. “In his lifetime, van Gogh lost many works by giving them away to friends or being neglectful,” the LMI group said in a press release. “It is believed that nearly 300 paintings may have been lost, many during van Gogh’s time at Saint-Rémy.” If authenticated as a Van Gogh, the painting could be worth up to $15 million. This potential windfall has raised questions about the preservation of cultural heritage and the role of private collectors in safeguarding important artworks. Sources: This Painting Bought at a Minnesota Garage Sale Is Actually a Van Gogh, Experts Say $50 painting bought at garage sale may be a Van Gogh piece, experts say The post Rare Van Gogh Masterpiece Found Hidden Among Flea Market Treasures appeared first on The Conservative Brief.