Exploring the Only Van Gogh Painting in Poland
In April 26, Poland opened an art show to celebrate its only Van Gogh painting, a rare early landscape titled “Country Huts Among Trees.” This valuable piece, worth millions today, was once sold by a peddler for the price of a beer. Dating back to 1883, when the Dutch artist was still learning to paint in the countryside around The Hague, this small oil painting offers a unique glimpse into a different side of Van Gogh.
Co-curator of the Warsaw show, Agata Smolnicka, describes the painting as “interesting for its modesty and for showing a whole different side to Van Gogh.” Unlike his well-known “Starry Night” period, this piece was painted with a limited palette during his Dutch phase, which is lesser-known to many. The authenticity of the unsigned canvas was confirmed by Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum, noting that only 30 out of the approximately 75 pictures he painted during his time in The Hague have survived.
Interestingly, the painting ended up in a carpenter’s attic along with a pile of Van Gogh’s other early works when he moved abroad. The carpenter eventually sold these paintings for a minimal price to a hawker who peddled them from his handcart. Some of the canvases were even given to children to play with, tied around their waists like aprons. Fortunately, a discerning tailor managed to save many of these paintings by buying them all up.
The Journey to Poland
Eventually, the painting made its way to Switzerland, where it was exhibited and sold. In 1987, Charles Zbigniew Carroll-Porczynski, a Polish collector residing in Britain, purchased the painting and later donated it to the Catholic Church in his homeland. Now, the painting is showcased at the Museum of John Paul II and Primate Wyszynski in Warsaw.
Unveiling Van Gogh’s Early Style
The exhibition at the Warsaw museum explores various facets of the painting, shedding light on Van Gogh’s early artistic development. Co-curator Stefania Ambroziak describes this piece as “Van Gogh before Van Gogh,” as it showcases his journey of getting acquainted with oil paint and learning how to apply color.
Experts note that, at this stage, Van Gogh had already put considerable effort into his drawings, although he was not considered a prodigy like Picasso or Toulouse-Lautrec. His lack of natural feel for perspective and proportion is evident in his juvenile works. However, what he lacked in technical skill, he made up for in speed. The painting in Warsaw exemplifies his quick brushwork, with wet-in-wet techniques used to create a vibrant and lively composition.
Although the palette of the Polish painting is darker compared to the dazzling hues commonly associated with Van Gogh, it still showcases his innate gift for color. Mixing and contrasting colors, particularly reddish and green tones, was one of his strengths. However, it was during his time in Paris that he truly delved into the study of color and developed into the renowned painter we know today.
The exhibition, titled “Van Gogh: The Stories of One Painting,” will run in Warsaw until December, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the lesser-known early works of this iconic artist.
