Lot 5
**First Time At Auction**
European, possibly Dutch, ca. late 19th century. A 19th century European oil on board portrait after Rembrandt's "Tronie of a Young Man with Gorget and Beret" (ca. 1639-40 and formerly known as "Self Portrait as a Young Man") as assessed by esteemed art dealer Jan Six of Amsterdam. Rembrandt was known for his remarkable portraiture, and his estimated 40 self-portraits demonstrate a mastery of the genre in which he captured his visage throughout his lifetime. In this composition, the sitter is presented bust-length, without a mustache which typically dates Rembrandt's self portraits to the 1630s, wearing fanciful dress typical of the 16th rather than the 17th century. The artist has rendered the painting with striking realism and dramatic chiaroscuro characteristic of the Baroque period. The gorget (ornamental collar) - quite similar in style to that of Rembrandt's "Self Portrait as a Young Man" or "Tronie of a Young Man with Gorget and Beret" - was worn by contemporary soldiers and is included in several of Rembrandt's tronie self-portraits in which he wears historical costume. A wonderful 19th century homage to Rembrandt and Dutch Baroque portraiture mounted in an attractive frame that complements it beautifully. Size (painting): 13.5" L x 12.625" W (34.3 cm x 32.1 cm) Size (frame): 18.5" L x 17.75" W (47 cm x 45.1 cm)
The term tronie (meaning face in 16th to 17th century Dutch) describes a type popular in Dutch Golden Age painting as well as Flemish Baroque painting. Tronie paintings usually feature stock characters in costume or visages bearing exaggerated facial expressions and/or postures.
Traditionally art historians considered "Self-portrait as a Young Man" to be one of Rembrandt's 40 self-portraits. However, the Rembrandt Research Project and other scholars have challenged the identification of the sitter. Some argue that the sitter is not actually Rembrandt, and others suggest that it may have been an unfinished Rembrandt portrait completed by another artist. Interestingly, Daniele Rossi's recent restoration revealed Rembrandt's signature, which had been previously covered by decades of varnish. Also interesting is the dating of the portrait. For years, scholars dated it to circa 1634, since self-portraits of Rembrandt lacking a moustache typically date to the mid 1630s. However, assessments based on Rembrandt's style now date the portrait to circa 1639-40.
Email correspondence from Jan Six to the current owner states that this painting is "after a famous self portrait by Rembrandt, which now hangs at the Uffizi Museum in Florence." (September 13, 2022)
The current owner acquired this painting via descent from her father who purchased it from Alfred Otto Muller Gallery in Cologne, Germany. We have included a photo of the family villa in Cologne, Germany where this painting was displayed for several decades.
Provenance: private Highlands Ranch, Colorado, USA collection; acquired via descent from father; originally purchased from Alfred Otto Muller Gallery in Cologne, Germany
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#178038
- Condition: Expected age wear with craquelure throughout. A few minor scuffs - one on left proper eyebrow but otherwise predominantly in the background and not impacting the central imagery. Possible areas of touch up that are not apparent to the naked eye. Old gallery label/paper on verso shows age wear and losses that do not impact the painted portrait. There are suspension loops on verso; we would recommend fitting with a new suspension wire. Gold tone frame shows expected age wear with a few surface scuffs but is otherwise very nice.
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