A painting, once valued at a modest $15,000, has captured the art world’s attention by selling for nearly £11 million ($13.8 million) at a Sotheby’s auction. Identified as a work of the Dutch master Rembrandt, “Adoration of the Kings” has an intriguing history and a remarkable journey from obscurity to acclaim.
Initial Discovery and Misattribution
The painting, which measures just 9.6 x 7.3 inches, first emerged in the 1950s. It was acquired by collector J.C.H. Heldring in Amsterdam in 1955. Heldring’s widow sold it to a German family in 1985, where it remained until it was sold by Christie’s in Amsterdam two years ago.
During the 2021 sale at Christie’s, the painting was attributed to the “Circle of Rembrandt,” suggesting it was created by a student or an artist closely associated with Rembrandt. Its estimated value was placed between €10,000 and €15,000 (approximately $10,600 to $15,900 at the time). Despite this modest estimate, the painting was purchased by an anonymous buyer for €860,000 (around $910,000), indicating that some bidders suspected it might be more significant than initially thought.
Revelation and Research
Following the purchase, the painting underwent an extensive research project led by Sotheby’s, lasting 18 months. The examination included X-rays, infrared imaging, and intensive consultations with leading Rembrandt scholars. This rigorous process confirmed the painting as “an autograph work by Rembrandt,” meaning it was created by the master himself rather than one of his pupils or followers.
The findings led Sotheby’s to reassess the painting’s value significantly, giving it a pre-sale estimate of £10 million to £15 million ($12.6 million to $18.8 million). The research concluded that Rembrandt painted “Adoration of the Kings” around 1628, early in his career when he was just 21 or 22 years old and living in Leiden, the Netherlands.
Historical Context and Significance
The painting depicts the biblical scene of the Three Wise Men’s encounter with the baby Jesus. This subject matter, along with its early creation date, makes it a rare and valuable piece. Most of Rembrandt’s works are housed in museums, and the few that have come to auction over the past decades have typically been portraits or studies of single character heads. Therefore, a narrative painting like “Adoration of the Kings” represents a unique and significant opportunity in the art market.
The earliest known reference to the painting is from the 1714 inventory of Constantijn Ranst, a collector in Amsterdam. It was subsequently sold in 1814 and 1822, after which it vanished from public view until the mid-20th century. In the 1950s, the painting was included in museum exhibitions and recognized as a Rembrandt by leading scholars of the time. However, in 1960, German art historian Kurt Bauch, who only knew the painting from a black-and-white photograph, classified it as a product of the Rembrandt School rather than by Rembrandt himself, leading to its omission from the authoritative catalogue raisonné and subsequent oversight in Rembrandt literature.
Re-evaluation and Auction
The resurgence of interest in the painting can be attributed to its anonymous buyer who consigned it to Sotheby’s. The detailed analysis by Sotheby’s experts revealed numerous changes and revisions made by Rembrandt, including alterations to the baby Jesus’ halo and the Virgin Mary’s headdress. These adjustments are characteristic of Rembrandt’s meticulous and evolving style, particularly in his early works.
George Gordon, co-chairman of Old Master Paintings Worldwide at Sotheby’s, highlighted the painting’s significance, noting that it enhances our understanding of Rembrandt’s early development as an artist. The reattribution of the painting to Rembrandt himself and its subsequent sale for nearly $14 million underscores the enduring value and impact of his work.
Broader Implications
The rediscovery of “Adoration of the Kings” not only adds to the body of known works by Rembrandt but also illustrates the dynamic nature of art history, where new technologies and scholarship can dramatically alter our understanding of existing works. This event also highlights the importance of provenance and meticulous research in the art market, where a single painting’s attribution can significantly influence its value and historical importance.
In conclusion, the journey of “Adoration of the Kings” from a $15,000 misattributed piece to a $14 million masterpiece is a testament to the enduring legacy of Rembrandt and the ever-evolving landscape of art history and valuation. The painting’s rediscovery and reattribution enrich our appreciation of Rembrandt’s early career and reaffirm his genius in capturing complex biblical narratives with profound depth and emotion.
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