Early Rembrandt Discovered

On an auction in England a painting that had been evaluated between 700 and 1100 Euros eventually was sold for around 3 million. A number of experts thinks this is the real thing. The work has so far been attributed to 19th Century follower of Rembrandt's. But according to the Head of Sotheby's Netherlands, Jan Six, it probably concerns a self-portrait dating from 1629 of the master proper.

As it happens Six is a distant relative of Burgomaster Jan Six who was portrayed by Rembrandt (2nd picture). In a newspaper Six opines this is the major Rembrandt discovery of the decade.

For years the oil painting decorated the walls of a house in Gloucestershire. The owner had the canvass evaluated years ago, but the conclusion at the time was, that this was no Dutch master.

But while on auction potential buyers were persuaded that it was the real thing; the price went up to 2.2 million pounds and halted eventually around 3 millions Euros.

The buyer of "Young Rembrandt as Democritus, the Laughing Philosopher" wishes to remain anonymous. According to Six he is probably an art dealer who will restore and resell the master piece.

Here's more arts news concerning an exhibition in The Hague museum "Mauritshuis". They present a large survey exhibition of 17th century Dutch portraiture.