A recently rediscovered self-portrait of Rembrandt van Rijn now is on display at the Denver Art Museum.
Once attributed to Frans Hals, a contemporary of the Dutch master, Rembrandt Laughing made headlines in 2007 when the Rembrandt Research Project determined that it in fact is a self-portrait of the artist, painted by Rembrandt when he was 21 or 22 years old.
The rediscovery took place in 2007 when the painting was getting ready to go up for auction and Rembrandt experts closely observed his signature almost imperceptibly scratched on the wet paint with the handle end of the paintbrush. The small, 8.75-by-6.73-inch oil on copper artwork was completed around 1627 to 1628, and it is believed to have been painted by the artist while standing in front of a mirror.
This is an incredible rediscovery of a very personal creation from The Netherlands most famous painters. Its as exciting as discovering a lost Shakespeare sonnet or finding a new drawing by Leonardo da Vinci, said Dr. Timothy J. Standring, Gates Foundation curator of painting and sculpture at the DAM.
This is a rare opportunity to see the stunningly beautiful early portrait of the artist.
The portrait, on loan from a private collection in England, will be on view at the DAM through Nov. 30 on Level 6 of the North Building. Access to the gallery is included in general museum admission.
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