The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam said Monday it had uncovered a new painting by Rembrandt, using advanced scanning technology and stylistic analysis to confirm it was crafted by the Dutch master.<\/p>\n
The 1633 work, entitled “Vision of Zacharias in the Temple”, disappeared from public view for 65 years, but was recently handed over to the museum for testing.<\/p>\n
“Materials analysis, stylistic and thematic similarities, alterations made by Rembrandt, and the overall quality of the painting all support the conclusion that this painting is a genuine work by Rembrandt van Rijn,” the museum said in a statement.<\/p>\n
The work depicts the biblical scene of Archangel Gabriel visiting high priest Zacharias to inform him he will have a son: John the Baptist.<\/p>\n
Gabriel is not depicted in the painting but light shining in the upper right corner heralds his arrival.<\/p>\n
“We always hope to find a new Rembrandt, but this happens rarely,” Rijksmuseum director Taco Dibbits told AFP.<\/p>\n
The painting disappeared from public view after a private individual purchased it in 1961. Its current owner contacted the Rijksmuseum, enabling experts to study the work with modern analytical tools.<\/p>\n
“It was amazing that this painting — that we didn’t know of — came to us via somebody who sent an email to say ‘could this be a Dutch painting?’, who really didn’t know what he had,” Dibbits said.<\/p>\n
– ‘A wonderful experience’ –<\/p>\n
The two-year research showed that the paints used are also found in other Rembrandt works of the period. The painting technique and build-up of paint layers are also comparable.<\/p>\n
Scans revealed “compositional changes that support the authenticity of the work,” the museum said.<\/p>\n
Finally, the signature has been deemed original and analysis of the wooden panel confirms the date of 1633 on the painting is also correct.<\/p>\n
“The way the painting was constructed, the different layers, was typical for Rembrandt,” Rijksmuseum curator Jonathan Bikker told AFP.<\/p>\n
“And it’s a dark painting, and the light is very important. Rembrandt, of course, is all about light and dark contrast,” added Bikker.<\/p>\n
The biblical topic is also typical of the work of the then 27-year-old artist, said Petria Noble, a specialist reseacher on Rembrandt.<\/p>\n
“1633 is really Rembrandt’s early Amsterdam career and he’s really interested in Bible stories and in history books,” she told AFP.<\/p>\n
“So everything fitted in terms of the material aspects, the stylistic aspects… It was a wonderful experience,” added Noble.<\/p>\n
The work is now on long-term loan to the museum and will be on display to the public from Wednesday.<\/p>\n
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