Amsterdam: Only the photo of Vincent van Gogh does not show van Gogh

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eIn one photo that was one of only two Vincent van Gogh recordings up to now, it actually shows his brother Theo. This was announced by the Van Gogh Museum on Thursday in Amsterdam. For a long time, the experts had badumed that the black and white portrait showed the Dutch painter Vincent as a 13-year-old boy.

However, after doubts were expressed about the boy's identity, the Van Gogh Museum commissioned a thorough investigation. This came to the conclusion that this is in truth for Vincent's younger brother, Theo, who was 15 years old in the photo. The two brothers looked alike, but according to the museum, Theo had finer facial features and brighter eyes.

Vincent van Gogh had committed suicide in 1890 at the age of 37 after a tumultuous life. With his brother Theo, an art dealer who supported and financially and emotionally stabilized him, he maintained a thorough correspondence on his art and his life. After his death, he left many self-portraits in oil painting – but he did not take a picture. The only real record shows him as a 19-year-old man.

Since 1957 as "Vincent" in circulation

Vincent's 13-year-old picture was shown for the first time in 1957 at an exhibition organized by a Belgian researcher. The catalog explicitly indicates it as "Portrait of Vincent van Gogh (circa 1886)". But more recently doubts have increased and prompted the Amsterdam Museum to carry out more detailed research.

"With this discovery, we have less illusion and portrait of Theo," said museum director Axel Rutger. "When I learned that it was probably a picture of my great-grandfather, I was surprised," said Willem van Gogh, rear-back grandson of Theo, advisor to the museum's board of directors. "But I'm glad this puzzle is solved."