During a routine house visit in Camden, Maine, auctioneer Kaja Veilleux discovered a 17th-century portrait in an attic, which has now become a major sensation. The painting, depicting a young woman in a cap and ruffled collar, was initially estimated to be worth between $10,000 and $15,000. However, it fetched an astounding $1.4 million at auction.
The painting’s potential attribution to Dutch master Rembrandt was suggested by a label on the frame, which claimed the piece had been loaned to the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 1970. Despite this claim, the museum has been unable to confirm the painting’s history, indicating that the label alone does not verify the artwork’s authenticity.
Thomaston Place Auction Galleries listed the portrait as “After Rembrandt,” indicating it could be a copy or inspired by the artist’s style, rather than an original work. The auction saw intense bidding, driven by speculation that the portrait might indeed be a genuine Rembrandt.
Rembrandt scholar Gary Schwartz has expressed a high likelihood that the painting could be by the master, citing its resemblance to a similar portrait at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna. Schwartz also noted that the painting was included in a 1969 catalog of Rembrandt’s work, although its authenticity was questioned even then.
Art historian Volker Manuth, while acknowledging the painting’s potential, remains skeptical of the attribution to Rembrandt. He suggested that the painting’s value might increase if it were confirmed to be an authentic Rembrandt, potentially reaching up to $15 million, though this would require thorough investigation.
The painting’s sale price reflects the high stakes in art authentication, where significant sums are often paid on speculation. The painting’s future value could rise even further if new research supports its attribution to Rembrandt. For now, the portrait remains a captivating mystery in the art world.