French Court Upholds Private Ownership of Site Depicted in Van Gogh’s Final Painting.
In a definitive ruling, the Versailles Court of Appeal has settled a protracted legal dispute concerning the ownership of the site portrayed in Vincent van Gogh’s last painting, “Tree Roots.” The court affirmed that Jean-François and Hélène Serlinger retain ownership of the property in Auvers-sur-Oise, France, dismissing the local municipality’s claims that the land should be public.
The contention arose in 2020 when Wouter van der Veen, scientific director of the Van Gogh Institute, identified the exact location depicted in “Tree Roots” as a sloped embankment at 48 Rue Daubigny, Auvers-sur-Oise. This discovery was based on a comparison between the painting and a circa 1900 postcard illustrating the same area. The Serlingers, who acquired the property in 2013, began offering guided tours of the site, attracting art enthusiasts worldwide.
However, Isabelle Mézières, the mayor of Auvers-sur-Oise, initiated legal action to claim the land for public use, arguing that it constituted part of the public roadway and should be accessible to all. The initial court ruling in 2023 favored the Serlingers, a decision now upheld by the appellate court.
The Versailles Court of Appeal concluded that “the embankment containing the tree roots painted by Vincent Van Gogh does not constitute an accessory to the public highway,” thereby confirming the Serlingers’ private ownership. The court also mandated that the municipality cover €2,000 in legal costs incurred by the couple.
In response to the ruling, Mayor Mézières expressed her dissatisfaction on social media, stating, “The roots belong to the people of Auvers!” and indicated plans to continue legal efforts to transfer the site’s ownership to the public domain.
“Tree Roots,” painted on July 27, 1890, is widely regarded as Van Gogh’s final work before his death two days later. The painting captures a tangle of colorful tree roots and stumps on a hillside near the artist’s residence. The identification of the actual site has provided deeper insights into Van Gogh’s last days and creative process.
With the court’s decision, the Serlingers plan to continue preserving the site and offering tours to the public. They aim to collaborate with the van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam to enhance the site’s accessibility and educational value for visitors.
