BONUS – An Unknown Rembrandt?

In the world of art, stories of forgotten masterpieces are rare, but when they do emerge, they captivate the imagination of art lovers, historians, and collectors alike. Such is the case of “Portrait of a Girl”, a painting recently discovered in the attic of an estate in Camden, Maine, that fetched an astounding $1.4 to $1.5 million at auction. What makes this discovery even more compelling is the speculation that it could be an unknown work by one of the most revered painters of the Dutch Golden Age—Rembrandt van Rijn.

The painting’s journey begins in August 2024, when art appraiser Kaja Veilleux of Thomaston Place Auction Galleries made a routine visit to the estate. During this house call, Veilleux stumbled upon “Portrait of a Girl”, which was hidden away among other long-forgotten artworks in the attic. Little did the family know, the piece sitting under layers of dust could be connected to one of the greatest artists in history.

While initially appraised with a modest estimate, the painting’s potential quickly became apparent. It was described as a stunning work featuring a young girl in traditional Dutch attire, with dark tones and exquisite use of light and shadow—a hallmark of Rembrandt’s early style. Its discovery sparked intrigue, and the auction, initially expected to raise only $10,000, became a heated bidding war, with the final hammer price exceeding $1.4 million.

What makes “Portrait of a Girl” so fascinating is not just its artistic qualities, but its possible connection to Rembrandt. Experts have pointed out the painting’s stylistic resemblance to works from Rembrandt’s early career, particularly from the 1630s, when he was producing commissioned portraits in Amsterdam. The use of light, the intimate composition, and the fine details all align with Rembrandt’s mastery of portraiture.

One of the most compelling pieces of evidence linking the painting to Rembrandt is a label found on the back of the frame. This label indicates that the painting was loaned to the Philadelphia Museum of Art for an exhibition in 1970, where it was attributed to the Dutch master. While it remains unsigned, as many works from that period are, the association with a major museum lends credibility to its possible origins.

Once the painting went under the hammer, interest in its potential soared. The auction opened at $32,500, well above the initial estimate, and quickly escalated as collectors recognized the significance of the piece. In the end, a private European collector secured the painting for $1.41 million. This sale set a new record for the highest price ever paid for a painting at auction in Maine, but the final price could be just the beginning if further analysis confirms its authenticity.

Despite its impressive sale, much of the painting’s history remains a mystery. It had been in the possession of a private family since the 1920s, and how it ended up in their attic is unclear. After its exhibition in Philadelphia, the painting faded from public view, and it wasn’t until its rediscovery that its story began to unravel again.

This lack of clear provenance is one of the main hurdles to confirming the painting as an authentic Rembrandt. While its stylistic elements and museum loan bolster the claim, art historians would need to conduct further research and possibly scientific testing to definitively attribute the work to Rembrandt.

If “Portrait of a Girl” is eventually authenticated as a true Rembrandt, its current sale price will pale in comparison to what it could fetch on the market. Paintings by Rembrandt are among the most valuable in the world. For example, “Portrait of a Man with Arms Akimbo”, painted in 1658, sold for $33.3 million at Christie’s in 2009. If “Portrait of a Girl” is indeed an undiscovered Rembrandt, its value could easily rise into the tens of millions.

Collectors, museums, and art historians are waiting eagerly to see whether this painting will be confirmed as a work by one of history’s greatest artists. If proven authentic, it will stand as one of the most significant art discoveries of recent times.

The story of “Portrait of a Girl” is one of mystery, discovery, and intrigue. From its humble beginnings in a forgotten attic to the auction floor where it captured the attention of collectors worldwide, the painting’s journey is far from over. Whether or not it is confirmed as a lost Rembrandt, it remains a reminder that art’s greatest treasures sometimes lie hidden, waiting to be rediscovered.