Oslo Self Portrait by Vincent van Gogh

After decades of investigation, a gloomy self-portrait has been authenticated as a genuine work by Vincent van Gogh. The Oslo self-portrait depicts Van Gogh as mentally ill, and his timid, sideways glance is easily recognisable and is often found in patients suffering from depression and psychosis.

Van Gogh arrived at the asylum of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole in Saint-Remy in May 1889, and come under the supervisory core of Dr. Pegron, a former naval doctor. It was a voluntary move for the artist, who had realized that he was unable to live alone, and had been shunned by the local people of Arles. He was allocated two rooms side-by-side, one to serve as a bedroom and one as a studio, and was allowed to wander the asylum and its garden at will, unlike most of the other patients who were more seriously disturbed. Later, Van Gogh would also be allowed on short painting excursions into the countryside while accompanied by an attendant.