Rembrandt Mystery: Authenticity of Paintings Questioned

” It all began with the exploration of an underdrawing beneath the paint layers. Absolutely nothing like that had ever before been seen prior to in a work by Rembrandt,” the gallery explains in a statement.

Harmen Gerrits Van Rijn’s Drawing

Nevertheless, a drawing of Harmen Gerrits Van Rijn was uncovered showing him with a full beard and a large nose, looking various from the father figure shown in the paint. Further technical evaluation likewise shows that the history was overpainted long after it was completed. The gallery consequently says that this job could be “by a trainee or employee of Rembrandt’s, or by the master himself. The mystery continues to be unsolved.”

Tronie of an Old Guy

The 2nd job evaluated was Tronie of an Old Guy (around 1630). Abraham Bredius, the previous supervisor of the Mauritshuis, purchased the painting for his own collection in 1892 yet loaned it to the museum. Bredius referred to his acquisition as “most likely the most interesting painting of Rembrandt’s papa”, known as Harmen Gerritsz van Rijn.

It was not unusual for a master to sign the work of a student, claims the museum. “If it was painted at Rembrandt’s studio, it was his ‘product’. With Rembrandt’s signature, a painting by a student can be sold as if it were a piece by the master.”

Conservators at The Mauritshuis gallery in the Hague, Netherlands, state that 3 paintings in the museum’s collection at first attributed to Rembrandt van Rijn were probably made or duplicated by the 17th-century artist’s students and employees.

Technical Concerns and Brushstrokes

There are also technological concerns. “If you look at Rembrandt’s Self-Portrait (1669) and Homer (1663) you will certainly see that every brushstroke is simply. Research of an Old Guy is less accomplished. Our team believe that it is the work of a pupil trying to mimic the design of the master.”

The final item, Study of an Old Male (around 1655), is one of the most intriguing job, as it is signed by Rembrandt. Bredius was “happy” when the Mauritshuis acquired the painting, which portrays the artist’s bro Adriaen van Rijn, in 1891.

Absolutely nothing like that had actually ever before been seen before in a work by Rembrandt,” the gallery discusses in a statement. Bredius referred to his procurement as “probably the most fascinating paint of Rembrandt’s dad”, recognized as Harmen Gerritsz van Rijn.

The gallery consequently states that this work might be “by a trainee or staff member of Rembrandt’s, or by the master himself. With Rembrandt’s trademark, a paint by a pupil might be offered as if it were a piece by the master.”

Final Verdicts on Questioned Works

The gallery has seven works by the Dutch Old Master, together with seven paints that were bought as Rembrandts, however which have actually currently been “crossed out or are highly called into question”. Final verdicts, nonetheless, have so far only been released for three works.