The Art Newspaper exclusively reveals the existence of a vast, previously unknown archive belonging to Dr. Paul Gachet, the physician who cared for Vincent van Gogh in his final weeks, and his son Paul-Louis Gachet Jr. The archive includes a newly surfaced deathbed sketch of van Gogh drawn by Gachet, along with prints, memorabilia records, and correspondence that illuminate the relationship between the artist and his doctor. The present owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, granted full access to the collection, which contains ten highlighted items including a farewell sketch, an homage print, and a wartime postcard from van Gogh's sister-in-law.
This discovery matters because it provides fresh, primary-source material about van Gogh's final days and the circle of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists Gachet knew, such as Camille Pissarro and Paul Cézanne. The archive deepens understanding of Gachet himself—an amateur artist and key figure in art history—and offers new context for van Gogh's portraits of the doctor and related works. It also raises questions about provenance and the preservation of historical artifacts, as some items have been lost or dispersed over time.