„Elimar“ attributed to Vincent van Gogh, „Snowy Landscape“ attributed to Henning Elimar.

The following report describes the examination of the painting „Snowy Landscape“ attributed to Henning Elimar. Comparisons are drawn with the painting “Elimar” attributed to Vincent van Gogh in 2025

On January 28th, 2025, the LMI Group published a press release announcing the discovery and authentication of a previously unknown painting by Vincent van Gogh. The painting depicting a fisherman was entitled “Elimar” after a literary reference to Hans Christian Andersen.

Attributed to Vincent van Gogh, Elimar (1889). Image courtesy LMI Group International, Inc.
The signature on the Fisherman. Image courtesy LMI Group International, Inc.

A 458-page expert report was craftetd to substantiate the authenticity. The Van-Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, has rejected the painting twice.

While I was researching the case, I discovered several other paintings that were also signed “Elimar”. These were attributed to the Dane Henning Elimar (Aarhus 1928-1989).

Another painting with a comparable signature by an “unknown painter” was auctioned at Dannenberg Auction House in September 2024. This painting was later on offered on a German online platform in January 2025. It is now in our collection.

Signed „Elimar, attributed to Henning Elimar, „Dorf im Winter, snowy landscape“, oil/canvas, ca. 56,5x 48,5 cm (Image: Dr. Pracher, 2025).

If we just look at the other paintings signed „Elimar“, who are attributed to Henning Elimar, we can assume that the „Snowy Landscape“ is most likely also a work of Henning Elimar (1928-1989). Still, this work needs to be vetted too.

The main question was, whether there is a connection to the „Fisherman Elimar“, attributed to van Gogh. A clue – yet not a proof – could provide the comparison of the signatures. Both show an astonishing resemblance.

Signature on the „Snowy Landscape“ (Image: Dr. Pracher, 2025).
The signature on the „Fisherman“. Image courtesy LMI Group International, Inc.

The discovery of several other paintings with the signature “Elimar” then led to a discussion about the attribution of the „Fisherman“ to Vincent van Gogh among experts and in the press.

Different views and opinions on a topic are always beneficial in order to get a bit closer to the truth. Considering this, I believe the emerged paintings could provide additional insights, that may help in the clarification process to the authorship – for the „Fisherman Elimar“ aswell as for the „Snowy Landscape“.

Dr. Martin Pracher, Feb. 2025.

Technical examination of the painting „Snowy Landscape“, attributed to Henning Elimar (1928-1989) (all images: Dr. Pracher, 2025).


Signed „Elimar, attributed to Henning Elimar, „Snowy Landscape“.
Raking light, relief of the paintlayer.
Reverse of the painting „Snowy Landscape“.
Raking light, canvas, detail.
UV-Fluorescence, lightsource 160nm, the paintlayer appears not to be varnished with a recent resin.
Infrared-Reflectography, lightsource 850nm, shows underdrawings in the sky- and center area.
Transmitted Infrared, lightsource 850nm, shows underdrawings in the sky- and center area.
Visible Induced Infrared Fluorescence: Cadmium Yellow (after 1840ies), Cadmium Red (after 1910, here, not confirmed).
UV-Reflectography, it appears, no lead white was used. Used pigment most likely is Zinc- or Titatniumwhite.