Raccommodeuses de filets dans les dunes (Fishing net menders in the Dunes) was painted in 1882 when the artist was living in The Hague. This was in the period before he moved to France and came under the influence of Impressionism and began to employ a brighter palette.
It depicts a scene at Scheveningen, just outside The Hague with men and women are seated and standing mending and hanging out the fishing nets. The scene and occasion of executing this work is described by the artist in a letter to his brother Theo dated August 20, 1882.
The 16in x 2ft (42 x 62cm) oil on paper laid on panel, which was offered for sale by the French auction house Artcurial as part of its Modern and Contemporary art sale on June 4, was consigned by a private collector.
It has been much exhibited since its creation and came to Artcurial after being on long-term loan at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
Offered with a guide of €3m-5m, several North American and European collectors contested the work before it was hammered down to an American collector.
The price is the highest paid at auction for a Dutch-period painting by the artist.
