Researchers at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam have announced the discovery of a new painting by Rembrandt van Rijn. The work, titled Vision of Zacharias in the Temple (1633), was confirmed to have been painted by the Dutch master following two years of research. It will be on view at the museum beginning Wednesday, March 4th.
The painting was brought to the attention of museum researchers by its current owner, who requested the study. It had disappeared from public view in 1961 after it was purchased by a private individual.
“Materials analysis, stylistic and thematic similarities, alterations made by Rembrandt, and the overall quality of the painting all support the conclusion that this painting is a genuine work by Rembrandt van Rijn,” the museum said in a statement.
A lengthy study using modern analytic tools confirmed its authenticity, including XRF scans and visual inspections. Researchers shared that all of the paint used in Vision of Zacharias in the Temple can be found in other Rembrandt works from the same period, and that the paint buildup and technique used to apply it also support their claim. The signature also confirmed the original work, as does the wooden panel with the 1633 date, which has aged appropriately since the work’s creation.
“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,” said Taco Dibbits, director of the Rijksmuseum, in a press statement.
The work depicts the biblical scene of high priest Zacharias receiving the news from the Archangel Gabriel that he and his wife will have a son, John the Baptist. While the angel is not shown in the work, light shining from the upper righthand corner alludes to his arrival.
