New Van Gogh work discovered

A new Van Gogh painting has been discovered by researchers in Amsterdam. Sunset at Montmajor, painted in 1888, has been confirmed as one of his works by staff at the Van Gogh Museum.

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Newly discovered Van Gogh was kept in attic for years

A painting recently identified as an original Van Gogh had been kept in a Norwegian attic for years, the Van Gogh Museum has revealed.

An employee poses for photographers in front of Vincent Van Gogh's Chair painting in London in 2010. Credit: REUTERS/Luke MacGregor

At an unveiling of the work at the museum in Amsterdam, it was explained the painting was the the first full-size canvas by the Dutch master discovered since 1928.

Museum director Axel Rueger described the discovery as a "once in a lifetime experience". The painting belongs to an unidentified private collector and will be on display at the museum from September 24.

Location of newly discovered Van Gogh found

The location of the painting - Sunset at Montmajor - has been identified as a landscape not far from Arles in the south of France.

Researchers from the Van Gogh Museum believe the subject for the painting is a scene near the Montmajour hill, with the ruin of the abbey with the same name.

Two letters from the artist, written in the summer of 1888, have also been found to refer to the painting, which will be displayed at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam from September 24.

This landscape in the south of France is understood to be the subject for the newly discovered Van Gogh. Credit: Van Gogh Museum
Sunset at Montmajor is believed to have been painted in 1888. Credit: Van Gogh Museum

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New work produced at the time of iconic Sunflowers

Van Gogh Museum director Axel Ruger explained the newly-discovered painting, Sunset at Montmajor, is understood to have been painted at the time Van Gogh produced the world-famous paintings Sunflowers and The Bedroom.

Axel Ruger and Vincent Willem van Gogh, the great-grandson of Vincent van Gogh's brother Theo van Gogh. Credit: REUTERS/Bobby Yip

He said: "A discovery of this magnitude has never before occurred in the history of the Van Gogh Museum. It is already a rarity that a new painting can be added to Van Gogh's oeuvre.

"But what makes this even more exceptional is that this is a transition work in his oeuvre, and moreover, a large painting from a period that is considered by many to be the culmination of his artistic achievement, his period in Arles in the south of France.

"During this time he also painted world-famous works, such as Sunflowers, The yellow house and The Bedroom."

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