Long-lost Rembrandt Portrait Revealed in the Netherlands
For nearly two centuries, a small oval portrait of a well-to-do mason and plasterer from Leiden, along with their wives, vanished from private family collections. After extensive research, the 19.9 x 16.5 cm (7.8 x 6.5 in) painting, valued at 11.2 million pounds (14.2 million USD), was accepted as part of Rembrandt's oeuvre and made available as a long-term loan to the Rijksmuseum.
"It's breathtaking," said Jonathan Bikker, curator of 17th-century Dutch painting at the Rijksmuseum. "Rarely do we get to see unknown pieces. We're excited to share this discovery with everyone."
The portrait, which showcases Jan Willemsz van der Pluym, 69, and Jaapgen Caerlsdr, 70, a close friend of Rembrandt, may have been gifted to the museum in 1635 as a gesture of goodwill. During this time, Rembrandt was Amsterdam's most popular portrait painter. Bikker speculates that Jaapgen, who converted to Christianity in Amsterdam, might have requested the portrait to create a larger copy later.
Interestingly, the portrait is a smaller version of two larger works that do not originate from Rembrandt but were painted in 1760 by the Amsterdam city archivist Isabella van Eeghen. The suspicion that the work was rembrandt's emerged when all four paintings were discovered in the museum's auction catalog.
The Rijksmuseum used "convincing evidence" from Röntgenography, Infrared photography, Reflectography, Makro-Röntgenfluoreszenz, Stereomicroscopy, and color analysis to formally attribute the painting to Rembrandt. The style, painting technique, and modifications align with the master's signature. Bikker explained, "These paintings are characterized by their sketchy and spontaneous nature, which a scribe would not produce. There are pentimenti [changes made by the artist during the painting process] and other minute alterations; while copying, one tries to be precise, but Rembrandt's signature lies in his ability to make changes during the painting process."
The Van der Prum family, which inherited the portraits, is a close relative of the Rembrandt family, as their son, Dominicus, married Rembrandt's cousin, Cornelia Cornelisdr van Suytbroek, in 1624. Henry Holterman's collection acquired the portraits early this year and granted them as a long-term loan to the Rijksmuseum.
Taco Dibbits, director of the Rijksmuseum, stated in a press release, "These paintings bring Rembrandt's family circle closer to the visitors. This precious legacy has been entrusted to the Rijksmuseum for the benefit of hundreds of people. It's fantastic that thousands can enjoy it."
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Insights:
Rembrandt was a highly sought-after portrait painter in 17th century Amsterdam. The newly discovered painting may have been gifted to the museum in 1635 as a token of friendship between Jaapgen, the subject of the painting, and the artist. The dynamic between the families of Van der Prum and Rembrandt is also established through marriage.
The style prevalent in Rembrandt's work is characterized by spontaneity, sketches, and changes made during the painting process. This newfound painting showcases Van der Pluym and a dear friend's portrait that follows those stylistic traits. The Rijksmuseum employed various techniques and technologies, such as Röntgenography and Stereomicroscopy, to attribute the painting to Rembrandt, using convincing evidence to support the claim.
