Scientists have managed to find a lost Rembrandt painting from decades ago after experts confirmed that the canvas really belongs to the hand of the Dutch genius.
Rembrandt’s Vision of Zechariah in the Temple, painted in 1633, was removed from the artist’s list of works in 1960. The painting disappeared after being purchased by a private collector the following year.
But it caught the attention of researchers again when its owners submitted it to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam for examination. The study lasted two years.
“When I saw it in our studio during the restoration, I was immediately struck by its incredible power,” said Rijksmuseum director Taco Dibbits.
Photo by Kelly Schenk, Rijksmuseum
According to Dibbits, the Rijksmuseum receives a lot of emails from people,
“Analyses of the materials, stylistic and thematic features, changes made by Rembrandt and the overall quality of the painting confirm that this painting is indeed by his hand,” the gallery said.
Dibbits said the painting has all the hallmarks of Rembrandt’s work at the “peak” of his early career.
“It’s of very high quality. Sometimes when it comes to Rembrandt’s portraits, it seems like he created a lot of them, but in this painting you can see immediately that he put his soul into it.”
The museum will have the painting on display starting Wednesday.
Photo by Kelly Schenk, Rijksmuseum
Rembrandt was 27 years old when he created this painting. It depicts the biblical scene when the archangel Gabriel informs the high priest Zechariah that despite their age, he and his wife will have a son, John