The work, Vision of Zacharias in the Temple (1633), disappeared from public view after being sold to a private collector in 1961. It had previously been excluded from a catalogue of Rembrandt’s works in 1960.
The painting resurfaced when its current owners submitted it for testing at the Rijksmuseum, which conducted a two-year analysis.
Experts confirmed that the signature is genuine, the wooden panel dates from the correct period, and the materials and painting techniques match those of Rembrandt’s early works.
“When I saw it in our studio during restoration, I was immediately struck by the incredible power it has,” Rijksmuseum director Taco Dibbits told BBC. “It’s very high quality. You really feel that he dedicated his soul to it.”
The painting depicts the biblical moment when priest Zacharias is told by the Archangel Gabriel that he and his wife will have a son, John the Baptist. Rembrandt innovatively suggests Gabriel’s presence without showing him visibly, capturing the decisive moment before the archangel reveals his identity.
At the time, Rembrandt primarily painted portraits, making this one of the few history paintings from his early career. The Rijksmuseum plans to put the work on public display starting Wednesday.
While its market value is unknown, other Rembrandt works have sold for millions, including a record £20 million in 2009.
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