Experts disagree on authenticity of new Van Gogh sketches
PARIS — Art experts are disagreeing as to whether a book of previously unpublished drawings reported to be by Dutch master Vincent Van Gogh is authentic or fake.
The book, “The Lost Arles Sketchbook,” collated by eminent Canadian art historian Bogomila Welsh-Ovcharov, is being published internationally after reportedly being found in the southern French city of Arles near a hotel where Van Gogh used to stay.
Welsh-Ovcharov said the sketches appeared in an account book belonging to Mister and Missus Ginoux, owners of the “Cafe de la Gare,” to whom Van Gogh gave numerous works.
“I started to look through all the drawings and each one had his fingerprint,” she said, calling it an “OMG moment” at Tuesday’s press conference in Paris.