Vincent van Gogh: The Lost Arles Sketchbook (2016)
Published in 2016, Vincent van Gogh: The Lost Arles Sketchbook presents a remarkable and hotly debated collection of 65 drawings attributed to the legendary Dutch artist during his transformative years in Arles, France (1888–1890). Compiled and analyzed by Bogomila Welsh-Ovcharov, a renowned van Gogh scholar, the book unveils a trove of previously unseen sketches—ranging from delicate pencil studies of Provençal landscapes to ink renderings of local laborers and intimate café scenes. Many drawings appear to be preparatory works for famous paintings like The Sower and The Night Café, offering a tantalizing glimpse into van Gogh’s creative process.
The sketchbook’s provenance traces back to a mysterious discovery in the 1950s, allegedly gifted by van Gogh’s physician, Dr. Félix Rey, and hidden in a private collection for decades. However, its authenticity remains fiercely contested. The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam has dismissed the works as “imitations,” citing stylistic inconsistencies and lack of archival evidence, while other experts point to technical parallels with authenticated drawings.
Richly illustrated with high-quality reproductions, the book straddles art history and detective story, inviting readers to weigh the evidence themselves. Welsh-Ovcharov’s commentary delves into van Gogh’s Arles-era techniques, from his dynamic hatch marks to his obsession with capturing rural life, while also addressing the sketchbook’s enigmatic journey through time.
For Readers Captivated by Art Mysteries or Van Gogh’s Legacy:
- Van Gogh’s Ear: The True Story (Bernadette Murphy, 2016) reconstructs the artist’s tumultuous Arles period, grounding the sketchbook’s claims in historical context.
- The Yellow House: Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Nine Turbulent Weeks in Arles (Martin Gayford, 2006) explores the volatile partnership that shaped van Gogh’s work.
- The Forger’s Spell (Edward Dolnick, 2008) examines infamous art frauds, providing a framework to assess the sketchbook debate.
