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Van Gogh painting worth millions hung in Reading cafe | Van Gogh painting worth millions hung in Reading cafe |
(34 minutes later) | |
A Vincent van Gogh painting worth millions has been displayed in a Reading cafe. | |
Houses at Auvers II was hung in the Picnic Cafe for about an hour to launch the Open for Art weekend festival. | Houses at Auvers II was hung in the Picnic Cafe for about an hour to launch the Open for Art weekend festival. |
The painting's owner Markus Lawrence inherited it from his grandfather, along with 200 other paintings, on the condition he would not sell them. | |
The 27-year-old director of the Reading Gallery is looking for a permanent home for his priceless collection. | The 27-year-old director of the Reading Gallery is looking for a permanent home for his priceless collection. |
Mr Lawrence said that in June 1890, shortly before his death, Van Gogh said he wanted to see his work hung in a cafe, and to his knowledge, this is the first time the artist's 124-year-old wish had been fulfilled. | |
"I feel a huge amount of pride, not for myself, more for Van Gogh. I know it's something that he really wanted to do before he died," said Mr Lawrence at the painting's cafe debut. | |
He added: "Sometimes in certain spaces in galleries it can take away what the painting's about, whereas here it's just a picture on the wall, but a picture by a very famous artist. | |
"I love opening the pieces to the public, people deserve to see them." | "I love opening the pieces to the public, people deserve to see them." |
'Mind-boggling' | |
Houses at Auvers II, an oil on canvas, was painted in the last year of Van Gogh's life and it has been in storage for the past 30 years. | Houses at Auvers II, an oil on canvas, was painted in the last year of Van Gogh's life and it has been in storage for the past 30 years. |
It was bought in the 1920s by Mr Lawrence's great-grandfather for 300 francs in Paris. He cannot put a specific figure on how much the painting is worth now. | It was bought in the 1920s by Mr Lawrence's great-grandfather for 300 francs in Paris. He cannot put a specific figure on how much the painting is worth now. |
On seeing the painting, Mark Webber, 29, from Reading said: "You feel stunned. I can see the multiple layers of paint. It's more vivid than I thought it was going to be, it boggles my mind." | |
Another cafe visitor, 44-year-old Caroline Streatfield-Chalk, described it as "vibrant" with lots of energy, "It's amazing to see it outside a gallery in an everyday space that people go to," she said. | |
Grandfather's wish | Grandfather's wish |
Mr Lawrence, from Reading, inherited the work and the collection, started by his family 200 years ago, when he turned 18. | Mr Lawrence, from Reading, inherited the work and the collection, started by his family 200 years ago, when he turned 18. |
His grandfather Vivian Wetten, an architect, died in 1980, and left them to his daughter's eldest son who turned out to be Mr Lawrence. | |
Other artists in his family collection, which is in storage, include Rembrandt, Picasso, Degas, Cezanne, Henry Moore and Dali. | Other artists in his family collection, which is in storage, include Rembrandt, Picasso, Degas, Cezanne, Henry Moore and Dali. |
By chance Mr Lawrence discovered what he believes is the fifth version of Edvard Munch's The Scream when he was removing a Victorian print from a frame. | By chance Mr Lawrence discovered what he believes is the fifth version of Edvard Munch's The Scream when he was removing a Victorian print from a frame. |
"It was only when I took off the back paper to use the frame, because the print is horrible, I found The Scream," he said. | "It was only when I took off the back paper to use the frame, because the print is horrible, I found The Scream," he said. |
Two years ago he decided to start a gallery and is continuing his search for a venue in Reading. | |
He is hoping to raise £50,000 to fund the project to ensure the paintings are displayed together. | He is hoping to raise £50,000 to fund the project to ensure the paintings are displayed together. |
"I am trying to fulfil my grandfather's wish. He wanted the collection displayed as a whole," he said. | "I am trying to fulfil my grandfather's wish. He wanted the collection displayed as a whole," he said. |
Open for Art, organised by Jelly, features workshops, pop up exhibitions and talks and runs from Friday to Sunday. | Open for Art, organised by Jelly, features workshops, pop up exhibitions and talks and runs from Friday to Sunday. |
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