Video screenshot via Sotheby’s
In a stunning reversal of fortunes, a painting initially valued at a modest US$15,000 just two years ago, soared to a remarkable £11 million (US$13.8 million) at a Sotheby’s auction on Wednesday. The artwork in question is The Adoration of the Kings, a piece from the brush of the renowned Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn, created during the Dutch Golden Age around 1632–1634.
This monochromatic masterpiece, measuring 9.6 x 7.3 inches, had remained virtually unseen since the 1950s, hidden away in private collections. It first entered the art scene when collector J.C.H. Heldring acquired it in Amsterdam in 1955. The painting then changed hands in 1985 to a German family, where it remained until its modest sale at Christie’s in Amsterdam two years ago.
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The Adoration of the Kings captures a moment of profound religious significance—the encounter between the Three Wise Men and baby Jesus. The rare narrative work unfolds in a partly ruined stable, illuminated by the Star of Bethlehem. The intricate details, from the Virgin Mary’s attire to the expressive gestures of the kings offering gifts, showcase Rembrandt’s prowess in portraying human emotion and the tangible quality of different materials.
The artwork is densely populated, not just with the central figures of the Nativity story, but also with a myriad of characters in the background, each illuminated by different light sources. This interplay of light and shadow creates a dynamic composition, a hallmark of Rembrandt’s work.
Initially, when it resurfaced at Christie’s, the picture was ascribed to the “Circle of Rembrandt,” indicating it might have been the work of a student or a close associate of the artist. However, a deeper analysis, including X-rays and infrared imaging and consultations with Rembrandt experts, unveiled alterations made by Rembrandt himself, leading to its reclassification as an authentic work by the master.
The painting was snapped up for €860,000 (around US$910,000) by an anonymous buyer at the Christie’s auction. Following Sotheby’s extensive research, it was confirmed as a significant work by Rembrandt, leading to its dramatic appreciation in value.
This reattribution rocketed its value, underscoring the rarity of Rembrandt’s history paintings in private hands. Most of his privately owned works are portraits or tronies (character studies), further making this piece an exceptional find.
[via CNN, Hypebeast, Artnet News, images via Sotheby’s]
by rrollins
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