How did the only painting sold by Van Gogh in his lifetime end up in Russia?

The Red Vineyard, painted by Vincent Van Gogh, is renowned for its vibrant colors and is significant as the sole painting he is known to have sold. It was sold for 400 francs at a Brussels exhibition in March 1890. Currently housed in the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow, the painting underwent conservation using modern techniques, leading to intriguing discoveries. The painting has remained inactive in terms of exhibitions following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, affecting visitor numbers at the museum.

"The Red Vineyard is among Van Gogh's most dramatically coloured Provençal landscapes, but it is also famed for being the only painting that the artist is certain to have sold."

"Van Gogh came across the vineyard on a late afternoon walk with Paul Gauguin on 28 October 1888, five days after his friend's arrival in Arles."

"Vincent described the scene he had witnessed with Gauguin: 'A red vineyard, completely red like red wine...the grape is magnificent this year, from the fine autumn days.'"

"Although Van Gogh liked to paint landscapes outdoors, he completed The Red Vineyard back in his studio—using his imagination."

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