Art: Vincent by Candlelight

On the outskirts of Paris one day in 1946, Reeves Lewenthal, a wide-awake young U.S. art dealer, stopped his car, got out and ruefully inspected a flat tire. It was a blowout all right and he had no spare. Then, as Lewenthal retells it, he made for a shadowy little bistro, telephoned a garage and ordered a bite to eat. A few age-stained canvases were hung about the walls. One even had a hole in it. Lewenthal flicked on his cigarette lighter and looked more closely at the grimy thing. He almost jumped out of his skin.

This week in Beverly Hills,...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!