Hidden Masterpiece Unveiled: Rembrandt Painting Worth $15,000 Now Valued at Mind-Blowing $18 Million!
A remarkable discovery of immense value! Initially valued at $15,000, this painting has now been attributed to the renowned Dutch master Rembrandt Anticipated to fetch a staggering $18 million at auction, this rare find is set to captivate art enthusiasts worldwide
A painting that was worth $15,000 only two years ago is now anticipated to be sold at an auction for as much as $18 million after being authenticated as a piece by the renowned Dutch artist Rembrandt.
"The Adoration of the Kings" has rarely been witnessed since the 1950s, when it was initially discovered.
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Acquired in Amsterdam in 1955, the artwork was originally owned by collector J.C.H. Heldring. In 1985, his widow sold it to a German family, who held onto it until its recent sale at Christies in Amsterdam two years ago. During the sale, Christies identified the biblical scene as belonging to the "Circle of Rembrandt," implying that it was executed by a student or artist closely associated with the renowned painter. The estimated value of the artwork was valued between â¬10,000 and â¬15,000 ($10,600-$15,800).
Extensive tests revealed changes that Rembrandt had made to the painting.
Sotheby's
The monochromatic painting, which measures 9.6 x 7.3 inches (24.5 x 18.5 centimeters), was purchased by an anonymous buyer for â¬860,000 ($908,000) at the Christies sale.
The painting, which was estimated to be worth more than 50 times its value at the time, is now predicted to fetch millions more. It has been recognized as "a work of great importance" by the Dutch painter, as stated in a press release from Sothebys. Following its consignment to Sothebys by an anonymous buyer, the auction house dedicated 18 months to researching and determining the painting's true attribution and value.
After conducting a comprehensive examination that included x-rays, infrared imaging, and extensive discussions with esteemed Rembrandt scholars, Sothebys has determined that the painting is indeed an authentic piece by Rembrandt himself. The auction house now appraises the artwork to be valued between £10 million and £15 million ($12.2 million-$18.3 million). Based on their expertise, Sothebys believes that the painting can be attributed to the early period of Rembrandt's career, around 1628, when he was approximately 22 years old and residing in the city of Leiden in the Netherlands.
A rare find
The majority of Rembrandt's artworks are displayed in museums globally, and a significant portion of those that have been sold at auctions in the last thirty years primarily consist of portraits or studies focusing on individual character heads, as revealed in the Sothebys release.
"The Adoration of the Kings," a depiction of the meeting between the Three Wise Men and baby Jesus, is considered a remarkable opportunity in the art world, according to George Gordon, co-chairman of Old Master Paintings Worldwide at Sothebys. During a phone conversation with CNN, he emphasized the significance of this piece in enhancing our comprehension of Rembrandt during a pivotal period in his growth and artistic career, highlighting his ambition and rapid development.
The painting's earliest mention can be traced back to the 1714 inventory of collector Constantijn Ranst in Amsterdam. It was subsequently put up for sale in 1814 and 1822 and disappeared from sight until the mid-20th century. The Rembrandt museum in Amsterdam is now taking things to another level by offering visitors the opportunity to get a tattoo of the renowned artist's masterpiece, surpassing the typical souvenir choices like fridge magnets.
The painting was featured in museum exhibitions and recognized as a Rembrandt piece by renowned Rembrandt scholars in the 1950s. However, in 1960, German art historian Kurt Bauch, who had only seen a black and white photograph of the painting, categorized it as a work of the Rembrandt School and excluded it from the catalogue raisonné he was compiling. As a result, the painting was completely overlooked and ignored in Rembrandt literature, according to Sothebys. According to Gordon, in the Christies auction of 2021, bidders seemed to consider the painting to be of higher quality than described and potentially an authentic Rembrandt.
Sothebys discovered various alterations and revisions made by Rembrandt, such as those to the halo of baby Jesus and the headdress of the Virgin Mary, as confirmed by the auction house.
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Gordon expressed in the news release that there are only a few narrative paintings by Rembrandt that are still privately owned. This presents a unique and thrilling opportunity for either a private collector or an institution.
He further stated that this refined painting exemplifies both Rembrandt's artistic skill and intellectual prowess. The distinctive characteristics of his late 1620s style are apparent in the visible painted surface as well as in the deeper layers that have been revealed through scientific examination. These layers expose various alterations made throughout the creation process, offering new insights into the artist's thought process.
The painting is currently on show at Sothebys in Hong Kong, after which it will travel on to New York, Los Angeles and London, where it will be auctioned on December 6.
