This would be an incredible Minnesota garage sale find if it turns out that this painting is an authentic Van Gogh painting.

Experts estimate that if this painting is the real deal, it could be worth at least $15 million. That would be an impressive return on investment, given that it was picked up from a Minnesota garage sale for less than $50.

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Van Gogh's Drawings Go On Display At The Metropolitan Museum Of Art
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The Discovery of "Elimar" in Minnesota

The journey to authenticate this painting of a fisherman with a pipe, believed to be painted by Vincent van Gogh, began in 2019 when a Minnesota antiques picker discovered it in a bin with some other paintings at a garage sale.

The buyer, a Minnesota resident, claimed they purchased the painting because they liked the thick brushstrokes. Now, the painting is known in the art world as "Elimar," named after the inscription in the lower right corner of the artwork.

"Art Of The Brick" Exhibition
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The Authentication Process Started in Minnesota

LMI Group International bought the painting in 2019 from the person who found it at the Minnesota garage sale. The sale price remains undisclosed. Since acquiring it, the New York-based art firm has been working to determine whether the Dutch Post-Impressionist painter was, in fact, the artist behind it.

The Wall Street Journal has an in-depth story about the science and process of verifying whether this lost painting was created by one of the most celebrated artists of all time.

The EY Exhibition: Van Gogh And Britain Opens At The Tate Britain
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A Rare Van Gogh Discovery in Minnesota?

There are over 2,000 known artworks from Van Gogh, including oil paintings, sketches, drawings, and watercolors. Very few of his artworks have been discovered in modern times, so if this piece is found to be authentic, it could fetch millions of dollars at auction, making it one of the most remarkable art discoveries ever made in Minnesota.

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Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz

QUIZ: Can You Guess the Iconic TV Show From Just One Opening Freeze-Frame?

Think you’re the ultimate TV fan? How well do you know your classic TV intros? Put your knowledge to the test with our quiz. We’ll show you a freeze-frame from the opening credits of an iconic TV show—take your best guess, then scroll to see if you were right and watch the full opening. Good luck!

Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz

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