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

Hundreds of individuals gathered in Hong Kong on Tuesday to catch a glimpse of a Vincent van Gogh painting that has not been publicly displayed for over six decades. The self-portrait, titled "Châtaigniers en fleurs" or "Chestnut Trees in Blossom," is set to be auctioned next month in New York, with an expected sale price of approximately US$180 million.

The artwork, painted in May 1890, is considered one of the most significant pieces from Van Gogh's final days in Auvers-sur-Oise, where he tragically passed away just two months later at the age of 37.

Scott Niichel, a representative from Sotheby's modern and contemporary art department in New York, expressed optimism about the auction, noting that the painting represents a moment of "extraordinary optimism, frenetic energy, enthusiasm, passion, and colour" in the artist's body of work. Rarely do Van Gogh's final Auvers-sur-Oise period paintings come to market, making this auction particularly significant for collectors, museums, and investors.

Li Shanshan, a 50-year-old art enthusiast from Shenzhen, traveled about 2-1/2 hours to view the artwork and admitted she had never heard of "Châtaigniers en fleurs" before her visit. The painting, featuring a large blossoming chestnut tree with a canopy of flowers dominating the scene, will be sold as part of a collection of 12 long-unseen works, including pieces by Paul Cezanne and Claude Monet.

Acquired by Van Gogh's brother Theo and later passing through Johanna van Gogh-Bonger and her son Vincent Willem, the painting has had a storied history. It was owned by German publisher Samuel Fischer, American songwriter and film producer Buddy DeSylva, and collector Harriet Harris-Jonas. The work was eventually purchased by the Blaquier family from art dealer Wildenstein in 1975.