Minnesota Garage Sale Painting May Be $15M Van Gogh

A painting titled 'Elimar,' purchased for just $50 at a Minnesota garage sale in 2016, is believed by LMI Group International to be a long-lost work by Vincent van Gogh, potentially valued at $15 million. The firm spent four years and around $30,000 authenticating the painting, using a comprehensive approach that included DNA analysis and material science. They argue that the painting, depicting a fisherman, aligns with Van Gogh's style during his time at the Saint-Paul asylum in 1889-90. However, the Van Gogh Museum previously dismissed the painting's authenticity, citing stylistic discrepancies. LMI's 450-page report highlights findings such as an egg-white finish and a strand of red hair, which they maintain support their claims. The firm aims to present their findings to Van Gogh scholars and dealers for further validation.