A Vincent van Gogh painting that has not been seen publicly for more than 60 years has attracted crowds in Hong Kong, where it is being displayed ahead of an auction in New York this weekend.
A rare public viewing
The Hong Kong presentation offers visitors an opportunity to see the work before it leaves for the New York sale. The long gap since its last public appearance has helped make the display a notable event for art audiences in the city.
Images from the showing depict people queuing to view the painting, highlighting the attention surrounding the work before it reaches the auction stage.
Attention before the sale
The timing of the Hong Kong display places the painting in front of an audience shortly before its scheduled auction. Its appearance has therefore connected a temporary public exhibition with one of the key moments in the work’s current journey.
The information available does not identify the painting’s title or provide details about its expected sale price. What is clear is that the work’s extended absence from public view and its upcoming New York auction have generated significant interest in Hong Kong.
What happens next
After the Hong Kong presentation, the painting is due to be offered at auction in New York this weekend. The sale will mark the next public stage for a Van Gogh work that has remained out of view for more than six decades.