Van Gogh Sale Will Benefit Museum Funds

“Vase With Daisies and Poppies,” a Vincent van Gogh still life assumed to have been painted in 1890 during the last weeks of the artist’s life, will be auctioned Nov. 14 by Christie’s, New York.

The painting, which depicts poppies, blue cornflowers and daisies casually displayed is a vase that is sitting on a pinkish-white tabletop, is expected to bring in $12 million to $16 million, according to Christie’s officials.

The painting was a partial gift to the Albright-Knox Art Gallery from George F. Goodyear in 1962. Sixty-five percent of proceeds from the sale will benefit the gallery’s acquisition fund, and will be used to further strengthen its holdings in modern and contemporary art.

The museum is especially known for its concentration of modern and postwar art from all over the world, particularly in contemporary American art.

Of the remaining proceeds, 28% will go to the Buffalo Museum of Science and 7% will go to the University at Buffalo Foundation.

The work may have been painted at the home of the artist’s patron, Dr. Gachet, Christie’s officials said.

A letter from Van Gogh to his brother Theo, dated June 17, 1990, described two studies of wildflowers. Another letter, dated June 3 of the same year, stated that Gachet’s home was “full like an antique dealer’s” and that “there is always something for arranging flowers in or for a still life.”

Art experts said it is possible that “Vase With Daisies and Poppies” was painted at Gachet’s house, with flowers from his garden arranged in a vase owned by the doctor.