Old Masters and Roman statues vie for the attention of well-heeled collectors at Dutch art fair
Original article written for AP News
One of the highlights of the show, which runs through March 14, is an early portrait by Dutch master Vincent van Gogh, titled “Head of a Peasant Woman in a White Headdress.” It’s on sale at the stand of New Orleans gallery M.S. Rau.
The 1884 oil on canvas mounted on a panel dates to the time the young and unknown artist was living with his parents in the small rural town of Nuenen.
The woman’s identity is not known, but her image is a clear step toward one of Van Gogh’s masterpieces, “The Potato Eaters,” that was completed a year later.
It can be yours for 4.5 million euros ($4.9 million).
“I think art has been an extraordinarily good investment and even in uncertain times, it’s always it’s always held its own,” said gallery president Bill Rau.
“It’s an asset class and what we can be a better asset class than a Van Gogh?” he added, adding that, to him, the works are much more than just an asset.
“All these are my children,” he said as his daughter, Rebecca, walked past.
