Netherlandish School, "Let the Little Children Come to Me", oil on canvas, 122 x 104 cm Sold for €1,525,000 at Lempertz, Lot 1174, on 17th of May 2014 Estimate: 15,000 - 18,000 Euro
Everyone in the Old Master market is talking about the astonishing price achieved for a Netherlandish School painting that was sold at Lempertz on 17th of May. This multi-figured large composition on canvas is thought to be a work by the great master Rembrandt himself, hence the sale price of 1.5 million Euros against an estimate of 15,000 - 18,000 Euros. If it is right, then it must be a very early work by Rembrandt when he used a colorful palette, compared to the earthy and darker tones he is known for. There is also a theory that the artist painted himself into the composition, the young male in a white shirt at the back. Research and study will tell if this painting will be added to Rembrandt's oeuvre - it is exciting to see new important discoveries still being made in the Old Master area!