A village feud over the ownership of tree roots featured in Vincent van Gogh’s final painting has come to an end after a local mayor lost a court bid to take the land from a couple’s garden. Just hours before his death in July 1890, Van Gogh painted a scene of tangled tree roots in vivid colors. In 2020, these tree roots were identified in the back garden of a property at 48 Rue Daubigny, in the small riverside village of Auvers-sur-Oise, where the artist spent his final days.
Since its discovery, the site has been the subject of a bitter dispute between the landowners, Jean-François and Hélène Serlinger, and Auvers’ mayor, Isabelle Mézières. Local authorities attempted to claim the site under public ownership in 2020, arguing that it was part of the public highway. However, a local court ruled against the mayor in 2023, and the Versailles appeal court has now upheld this decision.
“We are very happy that this is now over,” Ms. Serlinger, 68, said. “The mayor’s attempt to grab the bottom part of the site by claiming it was part of the road was terrible.
Van Gogh site ownership dispute
But the appeal is very clear, which is great, and now we can focus our energy on the site and welcome more people from around the world.”
The Serlingers, inspired by their love for Van Gogh, moved to the quaint village in 1996 and acquired the extra land at the bottom of their garden in 2013, unaware of its historical significance at the time. Since the Van Gogh Institute identified the site in 2020, the couple has hosted visitors from around the globe, including Van Gogh’s family.
Enthusiasts can take a 30-minute tour of their garden for €8, with the season opening on April 12. Despite the court rulings, Ms. Mézières has taken to social media to criticize the couple, claiming the roots belong to the people of Auvers-sur-Oise.
She expressed her intention to continue legal action, stating, “There is no question of giving in to the public interest of the people of Auvers over private interests. The question of ownership is not settled. These roots are a common good, not a commercial object!”
Van Gogh’s “Tree Roots” is believed to be his last work, painted just hours before he shot himself in a nearby wheat field.
The painting appears to be a jumble of bright colors and abstract forms, depicting a slope with tree trunks and roots. The dispute over the ownership of the site underscores the deep connection that residents of Auvers-sur-Oise feel toward Van Gogh’s legacy and the historical significance of his last days in the village.
