Now let's pretend we are at an art auction... Which would be the price of  this painting by Van Gogh.

Estimating the value of a painting is a closed-doors task, thus surrounded by mystery. However there's a certain criteria, known as valuation elements, which allows us to determinate the money-value of art.  One of them is the physical condition of the painting: is the canvas teared because of time or negligence? In this case, the piece is in excellent conditions. Another element to take into account is authenticity. Being part of the MNBA's permanent collection, we are certain of its authentic condition, plus we know it was bought at the prestigious Galerie Thannhauser, in Berlín.

Then, the work to be valued is often compared to similar other works auctioned recently. Van Gogh is not an usual artist to come out to the market. However we know that his most valuable paintings were those with stronger brush strokes and colors.
In 1990 the Portrait of Dr Gachet was auctioned in 82 million dollars. If we adjust the price to nowadays values, it would be something around 150 million dollars. 

Few days ago, Sotheby’s in London sold the painting L'homme est en mer, from 1889, in 16 million pounds. The estimated base price was 6 to 8 millions. It is believed the the higher prices paid for these masters are due to the interest of new collectors, one of them being artist Jeff Koons (the highest paid artist of 2013).

The quality of Moulin de la Galette, plus its importance in the cultural heritage and an analisis of the previous factors, prove that we are in fact in presence of a very special painting. So... Which would be its auction price? Certainly a figure with many, many zeros in Argentine pesos. 

Keep reading... Appraising Art: The Definitive Guide to Appraising the Fine and Decorative Arts, 2013, Hudson Hills, USA.