Imagine stumbling upon a hidden gem at a garage sale—only to find out it’s a long-lost masterpiece by one of the world’s most famous artists. That’s exactly what happened with a painting picked up in Minnesota, now confirmed to be an unknown work by Vincent Van Gogh.

Expert researchers recently analyzed the piece, which depicts a bearded fisherman fixing his net while smoking a pipe. They say it was created during Van Gogh’s stay at a psychiatric hospital in southern France in 1889. The oil painting, measuring 18 by 16.5 inches, was discovered to be one of Van Gogh’s “translations” of works by Danish artist Michael Ancher.

The journey to authenticate the artwork took four years. Specialists examined everything from the canvas weave to paint pigments to a human hair embedded in the piece. Though the hair was confirmed to belong to a man, attempts to match its DNA with Van Gogh’s descendants were unsuccessful due to its poor condition.

Despite this, the team behind the analysis is confident in their findings. They believe the painting is a genuine Van Gogh, calling it an “emotionally rich, profoundly personal work” created during his final years. However, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam has yet to officially attribute it to the Dutch master.

This discovery adds to the mystery and allure of Van Gogh’s prolific career. Known for his struggles with mental health, he created around 900 paintings before his death at 37. This newfound piece offers a fresh glimpse into his creative process during a tumultuous chapter of his life.

Art lovers, keep your eyes peeled at garage sales—you never know what treasures you might uncover!