Rembrandt Painting Found in Attic, Sold for $1.4 million

The alleged work of 17th-century Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn, found in the attic of a wealthy family's estate in the United States, was sold at auction for $1.4 million.

It is reported by The New York Times.

The painting ‘Portrait of a Young Girl’ was found by the owner, appraiser and auctioneer of Thomaston Place Auction Galleries, Kaja Veilleux. It was in the attic, among other paintings, 

According to the auctioneer, he ‘immediately recognised Rembrandt's style’.

The painting depicts a girl in a black dress with a white collar and a white cap. The portrait is unsigned, which is common for many of Rembrandt's works.

According to the auction house, the portrait was painted on an oak board and mounted in a hand-carved gold frame. It is believed that it was presented at an exhibition in 1970 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Nine buyers claimed the work. In the end, it went to an anonymous bidder who made the highest bid of $1.4 million.

Authentication expert Mark Winter says that when the painting's authenticity is confirmed, its value may increase even more

‘The person who bought the painting for $1.4 million has already made a very profitable purchase. The value of this painting is probably around $15 million,’ he explained.

According to The Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague, which exhibits paintings by 17th century artists, Rembrandt created only about 300 paintings.

As The Gaze previously reported, last year Rembrandt's painting The Adoration of Kings was sold at auction for almost $14 million. This happened after experts established that it was indeed painted by this Dutch artist. Two years earlier, its value was about 17 thousand dollars.