News surrounding Rembrandt van Rijn continues to gather momentum. Only last week attention focused on an upcoming exhibition of etchings by the Dutch master. Now the Rijksmuseum has announced the rediscovery of an original Rembrandt painting.
See also: The Power of Prints: Discover Rembrandt's Etchings
The painting The Vision of Zechariah in the Temple, dated 1633, depicts the biblical moment when the Archangel Gabriel announces to the High Priest Zechariah that he and his wife will have a child despite their old age. Gabriel’s presence is suggested only by a glow of light in the upper right corner of the composition.
In 1960, the painting’s attribution to Rembrandt was rejected. A year later it was sold and subsequently disappeared from public view. Recently the current owners approached the Rijksmuseum to have the work examined by its specialists. The museum launched a two-year investigation using the same technical methods developed for the research project on Rembrandt’s Night Watch.
See also: Rembrandt's 'The Night Watch' Reveals a Hidden Influence
The study confirmed that the pigments correspond to those used in other Rembrandt works from the early 1630s. Dendrochronological analysis of the wooden panel also supported the date of 1633. X-ray imaging revealed changes in the composition that are characteristic of the artist’s working process, further strengthening the attribution. The signature was ultimately confirmed as authentic.
The subject also fits within Rembrandt’s early career. Around the same time he produced several biblical scenes, including Daniel and Cyrus before the Idol Bel (1631), now in the J. Paul Getty Museum, Simeon’s Song of Praise (1631) at the Mauritshuis, and Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem (1630), which is already part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection.
Want more articles like this straight to your inbox? Subscribe to our free newsletter!
Rijksmuseum director Taco Dibbits welcomed the result of the research: “It’s wonderful that people can now learn more about the young Rembrandt – he created this very poignant work shortly after moving from Leiden to Amsterdam. It is a beautiful example of the unique way Rembrandt depicts stories.”
The Vision of Zechariah in the Temple will remain on long-term loan to the Rijksmuseum and goes on display there from 4 March.
