(The Hague) The Dutch state is ready to pay 150 million euros to acquire the Standard bearer de Rembrandt, a painting owned by members of the Rothschild family, the Culture Ministry said on Wednesday.
Paris announced on Tuesday that the work, classified as a “national treasure” in France and estimated at 165 million euros ($ 236 million), would be able to be put back on the art market, the French state having finally given up on its acquisition.
” The Standard bearer is one of Rembrandt’s absolute masterpieces and is inextricably linked with the history of the Netherlands, ”the Dutch Ministry of Culture said in a statement.
“For centuries, the masterpiece has been in private possession, notably by the King of England and since 1844 by the De Rothschild family,” he continued.
“Now is the opportunity to acquire a last Rembrandt of this caliber,” he added.
This painting, a self-portrait painted in 1636 at the age of 30 by the Dutch painter, belongs to private owners, members of the Rothschild family, who wish to sell it.
The purchase, which has yet to be cleared by the Dutch Parliament, will be a combination of public and private funding. The Rembrandt Association will contribute 15 million euros and the Rijksmuseum Fund 10 million euros.
“After a journey of several centuries, the Standard bearer now go home for good, ”said Dutch Minister of Culture Ingrid van Engelshoven, quoted in the press release.
“For generations, we have dreamed of bringing back the Standard bearer in our country, ”said Taco Dibbits, director of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, which houses 22 of Rembrandt’s 340 or so paintings.
“The quality and the fact that this painting marks Rembrandt’s artistic breakthrough makes it an unparalleled work of the master,” added Mr. Dibbits.