• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Archaeology

A hidden self-portrait of Van Gogh discovered by X-ray

Dario Radley by Dario Radley
July 14, 2022
Share on FacebookShare on Linkedin.Share on RedditShare on Whatsapp

The National Galleries of Scotland announced on Thursday that a previously unknown self-portrait by Vincent van Gogh has been discovered hidden on the back of another artwork.

A hidden self-portrait of Van Gogh has been discovered by X-ray
An x-ray of Van Gogh’s Head of a Peasant Woman (1885, left) has revealed a hidden image (right). Credit: The National Galleries of Scotland

The unexpected discovery occurred as art conservators in the Edinburgh gallery were utilizing an X-ray machine to examine a Dutch post-Impressionist piece from 1885 by Vincent van Gogh. During the process, they stumbled upon a concealed self-portrait of the artist.

The unveiled self-portrait depicts a bearded man donning a brimmed hat and a loosely tied neckerchief around his neck. Notably, the left ear—infamously severed by the artist in 1888 following a dispute with Paul Gauguin—is clearly visible in the portrait.

“For more than a century, this self-portrait remained concealed on the reverse side of the canvas featuring Head of a Peasant Woman, hidden beneath layers of glue and cardboard,” stated the museum in an official announcement.

The artwork, which entered the National Gallery of Scotland’s collection in 1960 as a gift from a prominent Edinburgh lawyer, originally showcased a local woman from Nuenen—a town in the southern Netherlands where the artist resided from December 1883 to November 1885.

RelatedStories

World's oldest narrative art discovered in Indonesian cave

World’s oldest narrative art discovered in Indonesian cave

July 3, 2024
Remains of a Paleolithic dwelling discovered in Spain's La Garma cave complex

Remains of a Paleolithic dwelling discovered in Spain’s La Garma cave complex

December 1, 2023

“This is an exceedingly rare moment. We’ve uncovered an unknown masterpiece by Vincent van Gogh, one of the world’s most influential and beloved artists,” remarked Prof Frances Fowle, the senior curator of French art.

Lesley Stevenson, the gallery’s senior conservator, expressed her astonishment at seeing the artist “looking out at us.” The initial shock and excitement arose when the X-ray revealed the hidden self-portrait, which, according to experts, could be exposed through delicate conservation efforts. The challenging task of removing the layers of glue and cardboard is currently under consideration, with ongoing research to ensure the preservation of the painting.

Vincent Van Gogh’s practice of painting on both sides of the canvas during financially challenging periods led to the covering and loss of some of his works over time. Now, the National Galleries of Scotland has added another chapter to this intriguing narrative by bringing to light one of the artist’s concealed self-portraits.

More information: National Galleries of Scotland


Stay updated with us! Follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Twitter, and Linkedin, and join our WhatsApp and Telegram channels for the latest in archaeology, all directly on your favorite platforms!
Share6Tweet4Share1ShareSend

You May Also Like...

maya-collapse-was-transformation-
Anthropology

Ancient DNA reveals Maya collapse was a transformation, not extinction

June 1, 2025
Oldest whale bone tools discovered in Europe reveal Stone Age humans used marine resources 20,000 years ago
Archaeology

Oldest whale bone tools discovered in Europe reveal Stone Age humans used marine resources 20,000 years ago

May 31, 2025
Roman burial of infant twins in Croatia linked to lead poisoning
Anthropology

Roman burial of infant twins in Croatia linked to lead poisoning

May 31, 2025
18th-century gold mourning ring unearthed in Norfolk field by detectorist
Archaeology

18th-century gold mourning ring unearthed in Norfolk field by detectorist

May 30, 2025
Three ancient Egyptian tombs unearthed near Luxor reveal secrets of New Kingdom elite
Archaeology

Three ancient Egyptian tombs unearthed near Luxor reveal secrets of New Kingdom elite

May 30, 2025
43,000-year-old Neanderthal fingerprint discovered on stone is the world's oldest
Archaeology

43,000-year-old Neanderthal fingerprint discovered on stone is the world’s oldest

May 30, 2025

Follow us


Instagram
247K

Facebook
105K

Threads
42K

LinkedIn
12K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

May 17, 2025
Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

May 28, 2025
Stunning 1,600-year-old Byzantine mosaic unveiled in the Negev Desert of Israel

Stunning 1,600-year-old Byzantine mosaic unveiled in the Negev Desert of Israel

May 27, 2025
Silver amulet unearthed in Frankfurt grave Is the oldest evidence of Christianity north of the Alps

Silver amulet unearthed in Frankfurt grave Is the oldest evidence of Christianity north of the Alps

December 15, 2024
$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius' eruption

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius’ eruption

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado's expedition

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado’s expedition

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

maya-collapse-was-transformation-

Ancient DNA reveals Maya collapse was a transformation, not extinction

June 1, 2025
Oldest whale bone tools discovered in Europe reveal Stone Age humans used marine resources 20,000 years ago

Oldest whale bone tools discovered in Europe reveal Stone Age humans used marine resources 20,000 years ago

May 31, 2025
Roman burial of infant twins in Croatia linked to lead poisoning

Roman burial of infant twins in Croatia linked to lead poisoning

May 31, 2025
18th-century gold mourning ring unearthed in Norfolk field by detectorist

18th-century gold mourning ring unearthed in Norfolk field by detectorist

May 30, 2025
Three ancient Egyptian tombs unearthed near Luxor reveal secrets of New Kingdom elite

Three ancient Egyptian tombs unearthed near Luxor reveal secrets of New Kingdom elite

May 30, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to improve your experience and enable functionality and security of this site. Further detail is available in our Privacy Policy. By accepting all cookies, you consent to our use of cookies and use of data.