The $3.2 million
Diriyah Star Night
One morning, artist Jeroen van der Most read that one of his paintings sold for $3.2 million in Saudi Arabia. And although it looked like an artwork he created a long time ago; it wasn’t by his hand…
What unfolds in the months following is a dazzling tale of a journey to Saudi Arabia, in which the artist learns a princess bought the painting. Amazingly, he eventually finds the artwork… And even better: he arranges to sign it with his autograph! This made him the official artist behind the painting worth millions, called the Diriyah Star Night.
These are just a couple of the amazing events that took place in the story, documented by international media:
GQ magazine UK’s Will Coldwell, released this great long read on it.
Dutch journalist Lex Boon was eyewitness and wrote a 12-page article about it in one of the major newspapers of The Netherlands, Parool.
Podcast creator Podimo launched a Dutch podcast series.
On the one hand the tale of the Diriyah Star Night is an adventure story and Middle Eastern mystery, but at the same time it seems to be an artwork in itself. That explores concepts like real, fake, and artistic ownership. And seems a metaphor for our age of AI, NFTs, and digital realities.
The story is still developing, more will be released soon…
Left: Opening shot of an article about the painting by a Saudi Arabian newspaper. Right: The artist in Saudi Arabia, Diriyah.
The incredible moment the artist signs the Diriyah Star Night in Saudi Arabia.
The story in a long read in GQ magazine, UK. Text by Will Coldwell, pics of the artist by Fredrik Altinell.
Frontpage of Dutch newspaper Parool’s website.
