Hidden from view for over a century, a self-portrait of the celebrated Dutch artist was found on the back of the canvas during preparations for an exhibition at the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS).
Professor Frances Fowle, who holds a joint post with the University’s Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) and NGS is the lead curator of the blockbuster show.
The exciting discovery was made while conservators were conducting an X-ray analysis of Van Gogh’s Head of a Peasant Woman of 1885 as part of a cataloguing exercise.
A Taste for Impression is based on Professor Fowle’s research on collecting and the art market in Scotland and runs until 13 November at the Royal Scottish Academy.
Visitors are able to see an x-ray image of the portrait for the first time through a specially crafted lightbox at the centre of the exhibition.
Research discoveries
The discovery of the self-portrait was made as a result of Professor Fowle's research for the exhibition and for a major critical catalogue, French Paintings 1500-1900 in the National Galleries of Scotland.
The catalogue is co-authored with Professor Michael Clarke, honorary Professor in History of Art at ECA and is due to be published in November.
The Van Gogh self-portrait, estimated to date from after the artist’s move to Paris in 1886, is still hidden from view, having been covered by cardboard for years.
Experts believe the card was applied ahead of an exhibition in the early twentieth century. Van Gogh often re-used canvases to save money. However, instead of painting over earlier works, he would sometimes turn the canvas around and work on the reverse.
It may be possible to uncover the hidden self-portrait, but the process of removing the glue and cardboard will require delicate conservation work. Research is ongoing as to how that can be done without harming Head of a Peasant Woman.
Until then, the world can enjoy the discovery through a ghostly and utterly compelling x-ray image, experts say.
