For decades, Vincent van Gogh's portrait of Dr. Gachet has vanished from public view. The podcast "Finding Van Gogh" from the Städel Museum in Frankfurt takes its listeners on a journey in search of the legendary artwork. In the wake of the major exhibition "Making van Gogh" (2019), journalist Johannes Nichelmann traces the path of the masterpiece in a five-part series and meets contemporaries, experts, and Van Gogh enthusiasts from around the world.
Starting from the empty frame in the Städel's depot, the podcast not only provides insights into museum work: it also takes its listeners on a journey through the tumultuous history of the painting and Germany's history. The painting is closely linked to the Städel Museum and the city of Frankfurt, where it was confiscated by the Nazis in 1937. Under what circumstances was van Gogh's last portrait created, which is also a kind of self-portrait? How did the spectacular sale for $82.5 million in 1990 come about? And where might the painting be today? This remains a topic for speculation.
