The Mystery of Van Gogh’s Postman: A Lost Masterpiece’s Journey

Van Gogh’s “Postman of Arles” mysteriously disappeared from Tate Gallery in 1924, sparking speculation about its authenticity. The painting was later sold to MoMA in 1989 and is now celebrated as an iconic work. The saga reflects changing views on Van Gogh’s masterpieces, coinciding with his 170th birthday anniversary this year.

Vin Gogh’s painting, “Postman of Arles,” mysteriously vanished from London’s Tate Gallery in 1924, baffling the media and art community. Initially displayed in the Modern Foreign Art section, it faced criticism and speculation about its authenticity. Ultimately, it was acquired by the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1989 and is now the star of an upcoming exhibition in Boston.

Rumours circulated in 1924 that the Van Gogh portrait was a “spurious” copy, partly due to a misunderstanding of Van Gogh’s multiple portraits of his friend Roulin. In reality, one original painting was in the US, but it had been sold to a private collector, Albert Barnes, in Philadelphia. Leicester Galleries clarified in a subsequent letter that the painting had been returned to them after the Tate prioritised acquiring Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers.”

Jim Ede, an assistant keeper at the Tate, later revealed that the portrait was returned because the Courtauld trustees found Roulin’s beard “too funny”. Tate director Charles Aitken noted it was not adequate to represent the artist, despite the powerful likeness of Roulin’s unique appearance. After being returned, the portrait was sold to the Thannhauser gallery in Switzerland.

Over two years, Thannhauser attempted to sell the painting, offering it to various prestigious museums, all of which declined. It was eventually purchased by collector Bernhard Mayer in 1926. His heirs sold it to MoMA in 1989 after a complex arrangement involving trading seven other paintings for it—highlighting a substantial shift in its perceived value.

Currently, “Postman of Arles” is celebrated as one of Van Gogh’s finest works. The enduring legacy of the painting also coincides with Van Gogh’s birth anniversary on March 30, prompting reflections on the artist’s life and the personal items his mother sent him during his challenging times.

The disappearance of Van Gogh’s “Postman of Arles” from the Tate Gallery in 1924 led to many speculations regarding its authenticity. Ultimately, it was revealed that the painting was returned due to perceptions of it not representing Van Gogh adequately. After multiple ownerships, it now resides at MoMA, recognised as a major work of art, highlighting the shifting perceptions of Van Gogh’s legacy.

Original Source: www.theartnewspaper.com