What makes these lost Rembrandt portraits so valuable?

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The Rediscovered Rembrandt Portraits Hold Significant Value Due to Their Rarity, Historical Provenance, and Artistic Significance

A recently rediscovered pair of Rembrandt portraits, unseen by the public for two centuries, are poised for auction with an estimated value between £5 million and £8 million. Their considerable worth stems from a confluence of factors, including their confirmed attribution to the celebrated Dutch master, their exceptionally rare status as the smallest known portraits by Rembrandt, and a continuous, documented ownership history within a single family since their acquisition in 1824. The intimate nature of these works and their potential to offer new insights into Rembrandt's artistic development further contribute to their high valuation in the art market.
Confirmed Attribution and Rarity as Smallest Known Portraits

The oil paintings, believed to have been created in 1635, have been authenticated as works by Rembrandt, a 17th-century Dutch master. This confirmation is a crucial element in their valuation. Furthermore, these particular portraits are noted as being the smallest known works of their kind by the artist. This diminutive scale, standing at 20 centimetres high, distinguishes them from Rembrandt's typically larger commissioned pieces and adds to their rarity in his oeuvre.
Undisturbed Provenance and Historical Connection

These portraits have a remarkable unbroken provenance, having remained in the same British family collection since an ancestor purchased them at Christie's auction in 1824. At the time of that sale, they were already listed as Rembrandts, indicating a recognized attribution even then. The subjects depicted are identified as Jan Willemsz van der Pluym and his wife Jaapgen Carels, who were friends of Rembrandt's family and hailed from his hometown of Leiden. This direct historical connection to the artist and his social circle enhances their significance.
Unique Artistic Style and Potential for New Insights

Experts describe the style of these portraits as "unusually intimate," suggesting a departure from Rembrandt's more common, larger commissioned works. While the specific artistic elements contributing to this intimacy are not detailed, this characteristic, combined with their small size, is believed by experts to "shed new light on the style of the artist." The fact that these works were essentially unknown and unresearched for 200 years means their rediscovery offers a fresh opportunity for art historians to study Rembrandt's artistic evolution and range.

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What makes these lost Rembrandt portraits so valuable?

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