 
Circle of REMBRANDT
Harmenszoon van Rijn (Dutch, 1606-1669)
Study of a Merchant (Mid 17th Century)
Brown ink drawing on paper, unsigned
Image size: 5.9 x 5.4 cm (2½ x
2 in)
Framed size: 35.7 x 33.1 cm (14 x 13 in)
Priced at £3850
See commentary below and Biography
Since many of our clients lead busy professional
lives, we will be pleased
to bring work to your office or home for viewing (London & Home
Counties),
by appointment, and with no cost or obligation to purchase.
"Don't waste
a good recession"
Now that the adrenaline-rush boom years have come abruptly to
an end, the harsh reality of what a 'recession' means
is self-evident to us all on a daily basis.
However, this does not mean that all is doom and gloom and many
economic commentators have recently been saying, "Don’t
waste a good recession". Major economic problems
also offer major opportunities for the smart and fleet of foot
with a few bob tucked away - an opportunity that applies
not only to the financial and commercial sectors but also to
art.
After years of over-inflated auction prices (particularly but
not exclusively concerning the Contemporary art market), the
recent shake-up of the world economy has begun to re-address
the once eye-boggling auction prices for works of art, finally
bringing them down to more realistic and therefore accessible
levels.
Debate is currently rife in the art world as to what effect
the global recession will have on the art world. Will it produce
better art? Is it good for art in general? In these uncertain
times Albany urges its clients to reverse these questions and
ask themselves, "As a potential art buyer,
how can I take advantage of the recession?"
Undoubtedly the phrase 'survival of the fittest' can
be applied across the board of Contemporary art (since the vast
majority of contemporary artists have little or negligible performance
history). With regard to the rest of the art market, and by comparison,
a good name artist and/or good quality art have already
stood the test of time and they (and thus would-be buyers)
can benefit from well-established track records in terms of historical
longevity and gradual market appreciation.
The excesses of the late 20thC art world with
its lavish, exclusive exhibitions and art fair openings bankrolled
by the sale of young and trendy Contemporary art, are now largely
a thing of the past. The international auction houses are also
reviewing their recent (and much debated) practice of cherry
picking debut works from graduate art school shows and placing
them straight into sales. The result is an increasing desire
and demand for familiar, less-threatening, and ultimately less-risky
work - 'traditional' and 'classic' are
now the buzz words heard spoken on the art scene. (See
'Savers
boost arts and antiques market' in yesterday's Daily
Telegraph).
Take, for example, this charming brown ink drawing, Study
of a Merchant, by Rembrandt (Circle of).
Rembrandt was arguably one of the greatest draughtsmen
in the history of art. In the same way as a writer regards his
journal notes as a personal record of observations and sentiments,
Rembrandt produced quickly executed sketches which beautifully
captured daily life in the Netherlands of the 17th century. Rembrandt
experts generally agree that there are about 1,400 drawings attributed
to him in existence whilst it is thought that probably an equal
number have been lost and/or misattributed as 'Pupil of' and 'Circle
of'.
Unlike most of the Great Masters, such as Raphael, Michelangelo
and Rubens, Rembrandt executed relatively few preparatory studies
for his paintings and very few finished drawings. Furthermore,
the vast majority of his drawings are unsigned - to date,
only about 25 works bearing his signature have been discovered.
Misled by their simplicity, everyday subject matter, rapid style
and lack of signature, it is believed that many authentic works
have understandably been wrongly attributed or discarded in the
past.
Due to differing views amongst specialists as to whether Study
of a Merchant is or is not by the hand of the Dutch master,
we believe it is only appropriate to label it 'Rembrandt
(Circle of)', an attribution that is naturally reflected
in the price of the work.
Best wishes
CHRIS NOEL-JOHNSON
ALBANY FINE ART
T: +44 (0) 1367 870961
M: +44 (0) 7799 691 692
E: chrisnj@albanyfineart.co.uk |
