A previously unknown self-portrait of the famous Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh was found by chance behind another painting by the artist.
Experts at the National Gallery of Scotland identified the self-portrait in the work they X-rayed before an exhibition.
The self-portrait behind the work known as the ‘Peasant Woman’s Head’ is hidden between layers of cardboard and glue.
Lesley Stevenson, the gallery’s senior expert, says they were shocked to see the artist “looking at them”.
“WE WERE VERY EXCITED AT THE FIRST LOOK”
“Of course we were very excited when we first looked at the X-ray scan. It’s a great discovery because it adds a new piece to what we know about Van Gogh’s life,” Stevenson said.
To save money, the Dutch artist often reused used canvases by turning them over.
HIS FAME SPREAD AFTER DEATH
Van Gogh is one of the most influential and famous figures in art history. His real fame spread after he died in 1890 at the age of 37.
The head of a Peasant Woman was given to the National Gallery of Scotland in 1960 as a gift from one of Edinburgh’s leading lawyers.
The painting features a woman from the town of Nuenen in the south of the Netherlands, where Van Gogh lived between 1883 and 1885.
After Van Gogh died, the Peasant Woman portrait must have been considered “closer to completion” than the self-portrait behind it.
The portrait, which changed hands several times, was purchased by Evelyn St Croix Fleming in 1923. His son Ian is best known as the creator of James Bond.
In 1951, the work came to Scotland and entered the collection of Alexander and Rosalind Maitland. It was later donated to the National Gallery.
HOW IT WILL BE EXHIBITED
It is a matter of curiosity how the self-portrait created by X-ray can be exhibited without damaging the original work.
Visitors to the exhibition in Edinburgh will at least be able to see the X-ray scan.