The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam attributes ‘The Vision of Zechariah in the Temple’ to Rembrandt

The Rijksmuseum de Amsterdam confirmed this Monday that ‘Zechariah’s vision in the temple’ (1633) is an original work by Rembrandt. The work is on long-term loan at said art gallery. by a private collector and will be open to the public starting Wednesday, March 4.

Researchers at the Rijksmuseum have attributed the piece to Rembrandt, after examining the work with the same advanced techniques used in ‘Operation Night Watch’ and compared it to other Rembrandt paintings from the same period.

Analysis of the materials, stylistic and thematic similarities, alterations made by Rembrandt, and the overall quality of the painting support the conclusion that this is a genuine work by Rembrandt van Rijn.

“It’s wonderful that people can now learn more about the young Rembrandt. He created this moving work shortly after moving from Leiden to Amsterdam. It is a beautiful example of the unique way in which Rembrandt portrays stories.“said the director of the Rijksmuseum, Taco Dibbits.

The painting depicts a scene from the biblical story of the high priest Zechariah. It shows the moment when Zechariah receives a visit from the archangel Gabriel in the temple. The angel announces to him that, despite his and his wife’s advanced age, they will have a son: John the Baptist. The angel does not appear in the painting, but the light shining in the upper right corner announces his arrival. Zechariah’s surprised expression reflects his disbelief..

In 1960, the painting was excluded from Rembrandt’s oeuvre. After being acquired by a private individual in 1961, it disappeared from public view. Not knowing its whereabouts, no expert had been able to study it since then. However, recently the current owner contacted the Rijksmuseum, allowing the painting to be examined for the first time in 65 years.