Behold..A Hidden Van Gogh Revealled

Science has given the art world a view at a Van Gogh that was never intended to be seen. Beneath the bright strokes of green, yellow, pink and blue that make up his 1887 landscape titled “Patch of Grass” lies the face of a simple Dutch peasant woman with haunting blue eyes.

A remarkable new X-ray technique, called X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, which relies on the science of particle acceleration has recovered the hidden image in remarkable detail-even down to the colors Van Gogh used. While researchers were aware of the existence of the portrait, until the development of this new technique technological limitations could only show the outline of the woman. This new technique is able to show the entire painting and differentiates between color pigments, showing not only the distinct strokes but the original colors used.

The painting, owned by the Kroller-Muller Museum in the Netherlands, harkens back to a series of pieces painted by Van Gogh while he lived in the Dutch town of Nuenen. The most famous of his works from this period is his 1885 painting The Potato Eaters.

You may say “Patch of Grass” is quite lovely, but why would Van Gogh cover over his original painting? A fit of anger? A touch of madness? Maybe. But most likely it was his need to recycle canvases because of his poverty. Experts believe that this is not the only of his works hidden beneath another painting. They estimate that around one third of his works were painted over. Scientists, introducing the study in yesterday's Analytical Chemistry journal, said: "Van Gogh would often re-use the canvas of an abandoned painting and paint a new or modified composition on top... Our approach literally opens up new vistas in the non-destructive study of hidden paint layers, which applies to the oeuvre of Van Gogh in particular and to old master paintings in general." (I love that they got to say oeuvre)

They added: "These hidden paintings offer a unique and intimate insight into the genesis of his works. Yet current museum-based imaging tools are unable to properly visualize many of these hidden images." Maybe not any more gentlemen – I would expect that scholars and collectors alike would be more than thrilled to see beneath Van Gogh’s work just for the chance to see if they had literally gotten a two-for-one deal with their purchase.

It will be interesting to see how, now that they have made these discoveries these hidden gems will be exhibited. And, to see what other hidden treasure lies beneath the long dead masters canvases.

Oh Vincent, this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you.