Controversy Unveiled: Van Gogh Museum Employees Allegedly Secretly Selling Pikachu Paintings

Employees of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam reportedly engaged in the undisclosed sale of paintings featuring Pikachu in the style of Van Gogh. The museum's Pokémon-themed exhibit, featuring six paintings of the popular character in the iconic Dutch artist's signature style, garnered significant attention and led to a surge in visitor numbers, accompanied by widespread social media hype.

An investigation by Het Parool has brought to light that these Pikachu paintings, initially priced at around 120 euros within the museum, were purportedly sold for significantly higher amounts, ranging between 1,200 and 2,500 euros, by the museum's own personnel. Visitors reported irregularities in the sales process at the museum store, with some paintings allegedly being pre-reserved, a claim disputed by the museum's spokesperson.

Furthermore, the Pikachu paintings became subjects of resale on platforms such as Marktplaats and eBay, contributing to heightened demand and ensuing chaos. Visitors recounted instances of museum employees, including security, public service, and bar staff, directly approaching them to inquire about their willingness to spend money on the coveted paintings. Allegedly, some employees even provided their private contact information to facilitate ongoing communication regarding potential painting transactions.

The sales dynamics experienced a shift in mid-December, according to sources cited by Het Parool, with the canvases becoming widely available without the previous tumult. Despite the exhibition's popularity, which led to sold-out tickets and the cessation of card distribution in October due to rampant online resale, the Pikachu paintings faced controversy and intrigue due to the clandestine activities of museum employees. The exhibit concluded on January 7.