SOLVED. Boy realizes Van Gogh has been replaced by a forgery. [s]

[Anne]

I read this paperback book in the early 80s but I think it may have been written in the 60s or 70s.

It was a kids/teens novel about a boy who is a reluctant learner and is sent to study a piece of art (possibly at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC). He studies a Van Gogh (Starry Night or Sunflowers, not sure which but I think it was Starry Night). One of the times he goes back to study it he realizes the yellow is not Van Gogh's vibrant yellow. He tries to convince (his teacher?) that the original Van Gogh has been stolen and replaced by a forgery.

That's all I remember. I've searched Van Gogh in LibraryThing, Children's Literature Database, Loganberry, and here and have come up with nothing. This was around the time I was reading Robert Cormier and Kin Platt books.

Does this ring a bell with anyone?

[Kym]

Deathman, Do Not Follow Me by Jay Bennett?

[Anne]

Yes! Thank you!

[Kym]

You're welcome Anne.