At the Rijksmuseum, the famous art museum in Amsterdam, a painting previously thought to be by an unknown artist has been discovered. This canvas, created by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, was presented to the public thanks to a report from Kazinform referencing DW.
Art experts have confirmed that this work, known as "The Vision of Zechariah in the Temple," belongs to the master of the Dutch Golden Age painting. The authorship was established using modern scanning technologies similar to those applied during the restoration of Rembrandt's famous "Night Watch," as well as through an analysis of the artistic style.
The painting has been dated to 1633. It depicts a moment from the Bible when the priest Zechariah, the future father of John the Baptist, encounters the archangel Gabriel in the temple, who informs him of the impending birth of his son. Although the archangel himself is not depicted in the painting, his presence is symbolized by light in the upper right corner.
The canvas has been transferred to the museum on a long-term lease by its owner, a private collector. Those wishing to see this work will be able to do so starting March 4.
In 1898, the painting was already exhibited at a significant Rembrandt exhibition at the Amsterdam City Museum, but in 1960 it was removed from the catalog of the master's works. The following year, it was acquired by a private collector, which limited the possibility of further research on the painting for the next six decades. However, a recent inquiry from the owner to the Rijksmuseum provided an opportunity for thorough analysis.
