Tracking a Van Gogh is Not Easy
I have trails on my mind since I recently returned from a trip to the National Parks and Indian Reservations in the Four Corners area. I kept my eye out for my beloved missing Van Gogh, but, alas, spied only (only?) 
petroglyphs and ancient cave dwellings dating back to 1200 A.D. 
No “Vase with Oleanders.”
If you’ve read my blogs in the past, you know that research into my last book about the Nazi confiscation of art and a missing Van Gogh painting led me on a hunt for the missing artwork. Along the way I crossed paths with many people in several countries who gave me advice and guided me to web sites and other contacts to pursue. No luck to date.
I’m not giving up, however, and am now working with a dear friend who is German and has close contacts in Germany. Happily, she will help me with the language barrier. The trail has now led me to a “lost art” web site and the coordinator of archives in Magdeburg, a medieval city on the Elbe River in Germany.
At this juncture I have been asked by German officials whether I have authorization from the claimants. These would be members of the Bernheim-Jeune family to whom the painting belongs. I have tried several times to contact the Bernheim-Jeune family in both English and French, through their website (they still own an art gallery) but have had no response. I will try to find other avenues to reach them.
I have also been fortunate to have made contact with two notable authors in this area. Lynn Nicholas, author of “The Rape of Europa,” and Jonathan Petropoulos, author of several books about lost art, have been very helpful. For the most recent updates on my search check out my web page: https://lynnekennedymysteries.com/the-hunt-for-the-missing-van-gogh/ A brief aside on books: “The Monuments Men,” a fascinating book, will premiere as a movie on December 18.
My last blog dealt with my dilemma with marketing. A second dilemma is this time-consuming search, which cuts into my writing time. Perhaps hunting for this painting falls in the marketing category since I’ve had quite a bit of publicity on it. The difference is that this is such a fascinating way to spend my time, while social media marketing and publicity are, well, not. Here I am, stuck again. Do I spend time reading, searching and researching for a lost Van Gogh? Or writing my next book?
Why is nothing ever easy?
Is there any way to make your”or” into “and?”
Best,
Bryan Mattimore
Author, idea Stormers
Probably. If I could add a few more hours to my day. Thanks for reading. Lynne
First of all Lynne, I wanted you to know that I do enjoy reading your articles and that I have taken the opportunity to purchase all of your current books. I am getting ready to take a day off and read, read, read.
The petroglyph used in this article is interesting since it is a dialogue between two clan members which is defined by the line between the two mouths of the clan renditions. What they seem to be discussing has to do with a territorial issue. That is, the traditional use of the land and harvesting of flora and fauna. The remaining visible lines as topographical in nature, which define creeks, arroyos, streams, mountain formations. The horse was not introduced into NM until the early Spanish expeditions in NM. The area was exemplified by the condition of the hooves and legs of the horse, indicating lame animals. Truly interesting.
Andrew, so nice to hear you’ve bought my books. I hope you enjoy. The horse petroglyph is actually at Canyon de Chelly and not much older than the 18th, maybe 17th century. I’m not sure but I don’t think horses were introduced into that part of the country until then. You sound very experienced – are you an archeologist? Thanks for reading. Lynne