THOMASTON, Maine – A stunning discovery recently took place in a small town attic, leading to the sale of a Rembrandt masterpiece for a whopping $1.4 million.
The masterpiece, titled “Portrait of a Girl,” was painted by the renowned Dutch artist Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn in the 17th century. The painting was rediscovered by art appraiser and auctioneer Kaja Veilleux in an attic located in an estate in Camden, Maine. Interestingly, a label on the back of the frame indicated that the artwork had been loaned to the Philadelphia Museum of Art for an exhibition back in 1970.
Veilleux, from Thomaston Place Auction Galleries, expressed his excitement about the unexpected find, stating, “On house calls, we often go in blind, not knowing what we’ll find. The home was filled with wonderful pieces, but it was in the attic, among stacks of art, that we found this remarkable portrait.”
The painting had remained in private family ownership since the 1920s and had been passed down through generations after its exhibition in Philadelphia. The identity of the owner remains a mystery, as does the story behind how such a valuable piece of art ended up hidden away in an attic.
Rembrandt, known for his wide range of artistic subjects, from portraits to landscapes to historical and biblical scenes, showcased his talent in “Portrait of a Girl,” which was created on an oak panel and mounted in a hand-carved gold Dutch frame, according to Veilleux.
The auction for the masterpiece held by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries on Aug. 24 saw fierce bidding, ultimately ending with a European collector securing the painting for an impressive $1.41 million.
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