Now its owner and whereabouts are unknown. The painting, “Still Life, Vase with Daisies and Poppies” by Vincent van Gogh, was purchased for a record-breaking price of almost $62 million in November 2014.
The winning bidder, Wang Zhongjun, a prominent movie producer, publicly claimed ownership of the painting. However, recent investigations suggest that Wang may not be the true owner.
Two other individuals, an obscure middleman in Shanghai and a reclusive billionaire in Hong Kong named Xiao Jianhua, have been linked to the purchase.
Xiao, known for his financial empire and offshore network of companies, including the one that paid for the van Gogh, has since fallen from grace and is currently imprisoned in mainland China. Wang, on the other hand, is facing financial difficulties, forced to liquidate properties as his film studio struggles to make a profit.
Meanwhile, the painting itself has disappeared from public view and its current location is unknown. Art experts believe that it has been offered for private sale after being exhibited in museums for many years.
The secrecy surrounding high-end art transactions, including the involvement of intermediaries and the lack of transparency in vetting buyers, has raised concerns and attracted scrutiny from authorities combating criminal activities in the art market.
The mystery surrounding the ownership and whereabouts of the van Gogh painting exemplifies these challenges and highlights the complexities of the art world.
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