Van Gogh Find Arouses Hopes

CHICAGO —  An art expert says the discovery of a previously unknown work by Vincent van Gogh is doing for paintings what the tabloids did for sightings of Elvis Presley: Suddenly, they’re everywhere.

“We’ve had calls from people who think they have Renoirs, Monets, Van Goghs. It’s hilarious,” said Leslie Hindman, whose auction house in March will sell a Van Gogh found in a Wisconsin couple’s home.

Hindman said the Van Gogh may bring about $500,000 at auction. It is owned by a suburban Milwaukee couple who have asked not to be identified.

Since announcement of the discovery this week, Hindman said, her office has been deluged with calls from people who are sure that they too have found the real thing.

A Florida man called to say he had several Van Goghs, a Rembrandt “and a Da Vinci, I think,” Hindman said Thursday. “He’s sending photos, but you know, it’s kind of silly.”

Hindman said she plans to check out all of the calls.

But how many claims will be authentic?

“None,” she said. “I mean, really, none.”