Hundreds of art lovers have queued in Hong Kong to see a Vincent van Gogh painting that has remained out of public view for more than six decades.
The artwork, titled Chestnut Trees in Blossom, is now on display ahead of a major auction in New York. Sotheby’s expects the painting to fetch around $180 million when it goes under the hammer on November 18, 2026.
Rare Masterpiece Returns to Public View
Van Gogh painted Chestnut Trees in Blossom in May 1890, during the final months of his life. The work depicts a large chestnut tree in bloom, with a man and three women appearing beneath its branches.
The painting comes from the Dutch artist’s final period in Auvers-sur-Oise, France. Van Gogh produced many works during this period before his death at the age of 37 in July 1890.
Scott Niichel, a vice chairman at Sotheby’s, described the painting as one of the artist’s expressive and hopeful works from his final phase.
Its return to public view has attracted art enthusiasts eager to experience the rarely seen masterpiece firsthand.
Painting Could Set a New Auction Record
The estimated $180 million price tag could make the painting one of Van Gogh’s most expensive works sold at auction. The sale will also test demand for rare masterpieces among collectors and investors.
The artwork forms part of a collection of 12 works assembled by the late Argentine collectors Nelly Arrieta de Blaquier and Carlos Pedro Blaquier. Other pieces in the collection include works by Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne and Camille Pissarro.
The painting has passed through several notable collections since Van Gogh’s death. It later belonged to German publisher Samuel Fischer and American songwriter and film producer George “Buddy” DeSylva.
The Blaquier family acquired it from art dealer Wildenstein in 1975.
Global Interest in Van Gogh’s Legacy
The Hong Kong exhibition offers visitors a rare opportunity to view a work that has spent decades in private hands. Its upcoming auction is expected to attract international attention from museums and private collectors.
The strong public interest also reflects Van Gogh’s lasting influence. More than a century after his death, his paintings continue to draw audiences and command significant interest in the global art market.
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