Historians X-Rayed A Famous Painting And Uncovered A Strange ‘Presence’ Lurking Underneath
From anatomical images hidden within Michelangelo’s frescoes to Diego Rivera’s communist subversion, the art world is full of famous pieces with secret meanings. But some of this symbolism is so obscured that paintings are still being debated centuries after their completion. Now, conservators have discovered a new side to a famous portrait by Vincent van Gogh — and it’s not what anyone expected.
Head of a Peasant Woman
For more than 50 years, Head of a Peasant Woman has been stored at the National Galleries of Scotland, where it has served as a strong example of Van Gogh’s early work. But as it turns out, the somewhat gloomy portrait of a dark-eyed woman in a white cap has been harboring an incredible secret all along.
A hidden secret
While preparing to display the iconic painting, conservators at the gallery used an X-ray machine to study its deepest layers. And there, hidden within the canvas, they found something that had been concealed for well over a century. Finally exposed, it casts a new light on the Post-Impressionist master — and changes how we view Head of a Peasant Woman for good.
Vincent van Gogh
Although he is considered one of the most famous artists in the world today, Van Gogh struggled to achieve his dreams during his lifetime. In fact, it wasn’t until after his death that his paintings started to receive critical acclaim. And for much of his short career, he lived an existence marred by poverty and despair.
Troubled soul
According to many experts, the harsh realities of Van Gogh’s life are reflected in his work — even the pieces that might seem innocuous on the surface. But might the troubled painter have hidden additional layers of meaning to his canvases as he worked? This latest discovery has generated a buzz among art historians the world over.
