Holland buys Rembrandt's masterpiece Bishops for 150 million euros

France abandons the venture, theNetherlands takes advantage of it: this could be summarized as the story of the masterpiece by Rembrandt van Rijn (Leiden, 1606 - Amsterdam, 1669), theBishop, which in 2019 had been declared a national treasure by France (the counterpart of our declaration of cultural interest, which prevents the work from being exported from the country) in order to find the time and resources needed to secure the work for national collections. The painting, a work from 1636, had been in the sights of the Louvre for two years, which, as required by French law, had 30 months after the declaration of cultural interest to raise the necessary sum to purchase it. However, in recent days, the deadline having largely expired, France decided to abandon the purchase.

The Netherlands therefore took advantage of this, announcing yesterday its intention to purchase the work for its national collections, with the support of the Rembrandt Association and the Rijksmuseum Fund. The work has been in the holdings of various private collectors for centuries, and was also part of the collection of George IV of England and, since 1844, was owned by the Rothschild family. It is a work that is very much linked to the history of the Netherlands, as ensigns, or standard bearers, were employed in the front lines during the battles of the War of Independence that led to the birth of the country in 1648. TheBishop is, moreover, a self-portrait of the artist, in which Rembrandt wanted to paint himself with a rebellious and almost brazen attitude. It is a painting that constitutes a turning point in the artist’s career, and would later lead to such a masterpiece as the Night Watch. With his Bishop, Rembrandt, then in his thirties, consciously places himself in the Nordic tradition of portraits of bishops by such famous artists as Dürer, Lucas van Leyden, and Goltzius.

The purchase of theBishop will cost 150 million euros and, as anticipated, will be made possible through a combination of public and private funding. The Rembrandt Association will contribute 15 million euros, the Rijksmuseum Fund 10 million euros. The Dutch state will cover the rest of 150 million euros, 19 million euros of which will come from the Museum Purchase Fund. Final destination of the work: the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, and to be exact the Gallery of Honor of the capital’s museum. First, however, it will tour among the museums of the Netherlands and be displayed in each of the country’s provinces.

“With this joint acquisition,” says Education, Culture and Science Minister Ingrid van Engelshoven, “we are making one of Rembrandt’s most beautiful works accessible to everyone. After hundreds of years, the work will now be in public hands, so everyone can enjoy this painting of enormous cultural and historical significance. After a journey of centuries, the Bishop is finally coming home.”

“A purchase like this,” says Fusien Bijl de Vroen, director of the Rembrandt Association, “is important both for the present and for future generations. The Rembrandt Association has been helping these dream purchases for 138 years. This purchase represents the pinnacle of its achievements, with the highest contribution ever pledged. We thank all our members. The joint effort of the state, Rijksmuseum and Rembrandt Association has enabled us to get to this point. Exceptional purchases like this are only possible by joining forces.”

“The return of the Bishop to our country,” stressed Taco Dibbits, director of the Rijksmuseum, “has been a dream for many generations. Now that the opportunity presents itself, we are joining forces to acquire this Rembrandt for the Netherlands for eternity. The quality of the painting and the fact that it marks Rembrandt’s artistic breakthrough make it unparalleled-that’s when Rembrandt becomes Rembrandt! We are grateful to the Dutch state, the Rembrandt Association, the Vriendenloterij and many private benefactors for making this possible.”

Holland buys Rembrandt's masterpiece Bishops for 150 million euros

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