V. Private Matters
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“In general when people don’t know where a painting is, they say it’s in a private collection in Switzerland. That’s the standard response.” Where is the “Portrait of Dr Gachet” now? Since the historical auction in 1990, the artwork has never been on view to the public again. Its last three decades begin in Japan and lead to an Austrian – and shady business dealings in the Caribbean. Finally, Johannes comes surprisingly close to the work’s present owner in New York. Which is not to say that the “Portrait of Dr Gachet” couldn’t also be in Switzerland.
More Episodes
The “Portrait of Dr Gachet” has meanwhile changed owners thirteen times – and now it’s writing art market history. How did it come about: the historical auction where the painting broke all the price records? Johannes travels to Christie’s in London to meet with Christopher Burge, the auctioneer...
Published 09/12/19
The “Portrait of Dr Gachet” is in storage in a granary in Berlin along with thousands of other confiscated artworks. Here it comes to the attention of one of the leading National Socialists: Hermann Göring wants to turn it into cash abroad. By a circuitous route, the work finds its way into the...
Published 09/12/19