In an extraordinary turn of events, an auctioneer from Thomaston Place Auction Galleries stumbled upon what could be a lost masterpiece by the iconic 17th-century Dutch master, Rembrandt. Discovered in an attic in Camden, Maine, amongst other less notable items, the “Portrait of a Young Girl” could redefine a routine estate clearance into a multi-million dollar historic find.
The portrait, depicting a young girl dressed in a black ensemble with a delicate white ruffled collar and cap, initially went under the hammer with a modest estimate of $10,000 to $15,000. However, it sold in August for a staggering $1.4 million, catching the eyes of nine eager bidders. The sale price could soar to an astounding $15 million if the artwork’s authenticity as a true Rembrandt is confirmed.
Adding to the painting’s mystique, a label on its back indicating it was featured in a 1970 exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art provides a tantalizing clue to its provenance. Although the museum could not confirm this exhibition, the presence of this label adds to the depth of its history and mystery.
Historically, Rembrandt paintings, known for their vivid realism, dramatic use of light and shadow, and profound emotional expression, are extremely rare and immensely valuable. For context, another Rembrandt painting, “The Adoration of the Kings,” fetched close to $14 million at auction in 2023.
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, who graced the world with about 300 paintings, was not just a painter but a master storyteller whose works captured the essence of his subjects and their times, making each piece a fragment of history encapsulated in art.
The discovery not only highlights the unpredictable excitement of auction house discoveries but also poses significant implications for art history, potentially adding another masterpiece to the limited collection of Rembrandt’s acknowledged works.
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