Images(4)

Portrait of a Man Wearing a Black Hat

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn (Dutch, 1606–1669)

1634

Medium/TechniqueOil on panel

Dimensions69.9 x 53 cm (27 1/2 x 20 7/8 in.)

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Frederick L. Ames, in the name of Frederick L. Ames

Accession number93.1475

On View

On view

ClassificationsPaintings

Collections

Europe

Description

Even early in his career, Rembrandt was surrounded by a circle of students and followers. Many imitated him closely, or even helped with commissions. Because of this, it can sometimes be difficult to tell which paintings are by Rembrandt and which are by talented artists who worked in his studio. This pair of portraits is a perfect case in point. Most scholars think the woman was painted by Rembrandt, while some think that the man was by an assistant. Opinions go back and forth, and we may never know for sure.

InscriptionsLower right : Rembrandt fe / 1634

ProvenanceBaron François-Florentin-Achille de Seillière (b. 1813 - d. 1873) [see note 1]; by descent to his daughter, Anne Alexandrine Jeanne Marguérite Seillière (b. 1839 - d. 1905), Princess Sagan, Paris; 1889, sold by Princess Sagan to Durand-Ruel, Paris [see note 2]. 1889, Cottier and Co., London and New York [see note 3]; sold by Cottier to Frederick Lothrop Ames (b. 1835 - d. 1893), Boston; by descent to his widow, Rebecca (Mrs. Frederick L.) Ames (b. 1835 - d. 1905), Boston; 1893, gift of Mrs. Frederick L. Ames to the MFA. (Accession Date: December 12, 1893)

NOTES:
[1] First published as in the Seillière collection by C. Vosmaer, "Rembrandt: sa vie et ses oeuvres" (The Hague, 1877), p. 503; also see Alfred von Wurzbach, "Rembrandt - Galerie" (Stuttgart, 1886), p. 75, no. 320.

[2] "Current News in the Fine Arts," New York Times, December 24, 1893, p. 13.

[3] The Studio, n.s., vol. 4, no. 11 (October, 1889), p. 176.