Hundreds queue in Hong Kong to glimpse Van Gogh painting unseen for 60 years

Hundreds gathered in Hong Kong on Tuesday to catch a glimpse of Vincent van Gogh's painting, "Chataigniers en fleurs," or Chestnut Trees in Blossom, which had not been publicly displayed for over 60 years. The artwork is set to be auctioned in New York, where it is expected to fetch approximately $180 million. The painting, created in May 1890, is considered one of the most significant works from Van Gogh's final days in Auvers-sur-Oise, France, where he passed away two months later at the age of 37.

Scott Niichel, a representative from Sotheby's modern and contemporary art department in New York, stated that this event marks a period of great optimism, frenetic energy, enthusiasm, passion, and color in the artist's body of work. Paintings from Van Gogh's final Auvers-sur-Oise period, created after his release from a psychiatric asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, are rare and highly sought after by collectors, museums, and investors.

Li Shanshan, a 50-year-old art enthusiast from Shenzhen, traveled about 2-1/2 hours to view the painting. She had never heard of this particular piece before and was eager to see it firsthand. The painting features a large blossoming chestnut tree with a canopy of flowers dominating the composition.

"Chataigniers en fleurs" was passed down from Van Gogh's brother Theo, his wife Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, and their son Vincent Willem. It later belonged to German publisher Samuel Fischer, American songwriter and film producer Buddy DeSylva, and collector Harriet Harris-Jonas. The painting was acquired by the Blaquier family from art dealer Wildenstein in 1975.