Portrait of a Man ("The Auctioneer")

Follower of Rembrandt Dutch
probably ca. 1658–62
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 616
Rembrandt had a large studio with many pupils who emulated his style and even his signature. As a result, fierce debate about the authorship of his paintings continues today. This work was universally attributed to Rembrandt until scholars “demoted” it in 1982, arguing that the rendering of space, texture, and anatomy suggests a skillful imitation by an unknown artist. In the absence of documentation or conclusive evidence from technical analysis, the debate goes on.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Portrait of a Man ("The Auctioneer")
  • Artist: Follower of Rembrandt (Dutch, third quarter 17th century)
  • Date: probably ca. 1658–62
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
  • Dimensions: 42 3/4 x 34 in. (108.6 x 86.4 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Benjamin Altman, 1913
  • Object Number: 14.40.624
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

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