A mysterious portrait, possibly linked to the Dutch master Rembrandt, was discovered in an attic in Camden, Maine. Despite uncertainty about its authenticity, the unsigned painting stirred excitement among art collectors, eventually selling for a stunning $1.4 million at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries. The sale exceeded initial estimates of $10,000–$15,000 by a staggering margin.
The painting, which portrays a teenage girl dressed in a black robe with a white collar and cap, was found by Kaja Veilleux, the founder of Thomaston Place Auction Galleries, during a routine house visit to a private estate. The oil-on-oak panel work, preserved in a gold, hand-carved Dutch frame, bears striking stylistic similarities to Rembrandt’s renowned use of light and composition. Its discovery was made among stacks of other artwork in the estate’s attic, a location typically left unexplored during standard appraisals.
Adding intrigue to the find, the back of the painting features a slip from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, attributing the work to Rembrandt and listing it as Portrait of Girl, loaned by Mr. Cary W. Bok, a descendant of the prominent Curtis Publishing Company family, in 1970. However, the museum emphasized that this slip does not confirm authentication, and the painting was therefore listed in the auction as a work done “after Rembrandt.” The dating of the portrait places it in the 1630s, during a period when Rembrandt managed portrait commissions in the studio of art dealer Hendrick Uylenburgh.
On August 24, 2024, the painting became the highlight of Thomaston’s Summer Grandeur sale, captivating bidders both in person and over the phone. The auction opened with a starting bid of $32,500, rapidly rising through 60 offers by 11 eager bidders. As the price soared to $900,000, the competition dwindled to just two bidders, both participating by phone. Ultimately, the winning bid of $1.4 million was made by an anonymous private collector from the U.K.
Despite the painting’s unclear origins, the auction marked a milestone in Maine’s art market, placing this portrait among the most expensive artworks ever sold in the state. For comparison, Rembrandt’s Portrait of Marten Looten (1632) remains the most expensive authenticated Rembrandt, having fetched $33.8 million in 2015.
This sale has ignited conversations around the mysteries and intricacies of art provenance, authenticity, and the lasting appeal of works believed to be connected to Old Masters. “It’s amazing to be part of this,” said Zebulon Casperson, a staff member at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries who represented the winning bidder. “It feels like a shared victory for the entire team.”
While the Philadelphia Museum of Art could not confirm specific details regarding the painting’s loan history, the excitement surrounding this piece has certainly not been dampened. The sale highlights the enduring fascination with Rembrandt’s legacy, especially in light of recent sales of works attributed to him.
As the story of this portrait unfolds, art enthusiasts and collectors alike are left wondering whether it could indeed be the work of the Dutch master or simply a tribute to his iconic style from the 17th century. Either way, its journey from a dusty attic in Maine to a coveted acquisition worth millions adds a new chapter to the ever-evolving world of art discovery.
