Hundreds Queue to See “Chestnut Trees in Blossom” Before Auction
Hundreds of people lined up in Hong Kong on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, to see a Van Gogh painting that has not been shown in public for more than six decades. The work is “Châtaigniers en fleurs,” or “Chestnut Trees in Blossom.” Sotheby’s expects it to fetch about $180 million at an auction in New York on 18 November. The sale could set a new auction record for a Vincent van Gogh work.
Background: A Late Work From the Artist’s Final Weeks
Van Gogh painted the work in May 1890 in the French village of Auvers-sur-Oise. He died there about two months later, at the age of 37. The painting comes from his final period, which began soon after he left a psychiatric asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Works from this short stretch rarely reach the market.
The painting shows a large chestnut tree in bloom, with a flowering canopy that dominates the picture. It will be sold as part of a group of 12 long-unseen works, which also includes pieces by Paul Cézanne and Claude Monet.
Details: Where the Painting Has Been
A Long and Private History
After Van Gogh’s death in July 1890, the painting went to his brother Theo. It then passed to Theo’s widow, Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, and their son Vincent Willem. Later owners included the German publisher Samuel Fischer and the American songwriter and film producer George “Buddy” DeSylva.
In 1953, the collector Harriet Harris-Jonas acquired it. Her collection was considered important enough that New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art arranged visits for patrons to see works in her Fifth Avenue apartment. The Blaquier family bought the painting from the dealer Wildenstein in 1975.
The Hong Kong Preview
The Hong Kong showing was part of a media preview and public viewing ahead of the sale. Visitors lined up to see the work in person. Li Shanshan, a 50-year-old art lover, travelled about two and a half hours from Shenzhen because she wanted to see it “with my own eyes,” Reuters reported.
What the Experts Said
Scott Niichel of Sotheby’s modern and contemporary art department in New York said the painting is poised to set a new auction record for a Van Gogh work. Paintings from the Auvers-sur-Oise period are rare on the market, so the sale is expected to draw close attention from collectors, museums and investors.
That attention is part of the story. Reuters noted that the auction will test how strong the high-end art market is, where buyers have kept competing for scarce trophy works despite wider economic uncertainty.
Impact: Why the Sale Matters
For the art market, the sale is a measure of confidence. Very few works of this level appear, and the result will show how much money is still available for rare pieces. A price near the estimate would confirm that demand remains strong at the top end.
For Asia, the Hong Kong preview shows the region’s growing role in the art world. The queue suggests strong public interest, even among people who had never heard of the painting. For museums, the sale is a reminder that important works can disappear into private hands for decades before returning to view.
Conclusion: What Comes Next
The painting heads to New York for the Sotheby’s auction on 18 November. The final price, and whether it breaks the Van Gogh record, will be known on the night. Observers will watch who buys it and whether the work eventually goes on public display.
Until then, the Hong Kong viewing was one of the few chances for the public to see it.
FAQs
Why did Van Gogh get so famous?
Van Gogh became famous after his death, not during his life. He sold very little while he was alive, and only one painting, “The Red Vineyard,” is widely cited as sold. His brother Theo supported him, and after both brothers died, Theo’s widow Johanna van Gogh-Bonger worked to promote his art and share his letters. His bold colour, strong brushwork and emotional style later influenced modern art. Paintings such as “The Starry Night” and “Sunflowers” and his moving personal story helped make him one of the most recognised artists in the world.
What did Van Gogh say before he died?
His reported last words were “La tristesse durera toujours,” which means “The sadness will last forever.” They come from an account by his brother Theo, who was with him when he died on 29 July 1890. Van Gogh had shot himself in the chest two days earlier in a wheat field near Auvers-sur-Oise. Historians rely on Theo’s account, so the exact wording is described as reported. His final days came after he had painted at a very fast pace, producing many works in about ten weeks in Auvers.
Why did Van Gogh cut off his ear and who did he give it to?
The event happened in Arles, France, on 23 December 1888. Van Gogh had been living with the painter Paul Gauguin in the Yellow House, and the two had been quarrelling. Gauguin had told him he planned to leave. Van Gogh then cut off part of his left ear, and the exact amount is still debated by historians. He wrapped it in paper and gave it to a woman named Rachel at a local brothel. Police found him asleep at home the next morning, and he was taken to hospital. Some scholars have offered other theories, but most accept that he did it himself.
What is the sad story of Van Gogh?
Van Gogh lived with poverty, loneliness and serious mental illness. He started painting only in his late twenties and relied on money from his brother Theo. After the Arles breakdown he entered an asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence in 1889. He produced some of his best-known works while ill, but he sold almost nothing. He died in July 1890 at the age of 37, and Theo died about six months later. His fame came only after his death, which is why his story is so often called tragic. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a local support service.
