Kröller-Müller Museum Exhibits Forgery: A Fake Van Gogh's Public Display

The Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo has showcased a counterfeit Van Gogh painting until June 21, marking a departure from tradition. This event aligns with a podcast discussing its acquisition. Helene Kröller-Müller purchased Seascape at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer in December 1928 for approximately $18,000 from Otto Wacker. Created during Van Gogh's visit in June 1888, questions about its authenticity emerged, prompting Jacob-Baart de la Faille to reclassify it in January 1930. The forgery was inspired by a genuine drawing by Emile Bernard. Otto Wacker was found guilty of fraud in 1932. Although the museum took down the painting in 1947, it has been loaned for exhibitions. Curator Renske Cohen Tervaert points out stylistic inconsistencies, linking the forgery to Leonhard Wacker. An authentic Van Gogh seascape is housed at Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum.