Follower of Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn, 18th Century

The canvas has a modern glue relining which is firm and stable. The paint surface is well preserved in the face though there are signs of abrasion in the drapery and lower section of the beard where it is more thinly painted. Inspection under UV reveals extensive retouching through the drapery attending to the craquelure and scattered throughout the background. There appears to be a larger filled and in painted damage in the upper left background and another in the right side of the upper edge. The face however remains largely untouched with only scattered pinprick retouches. The painting presents an impressive image beneath a fresh and clear varnish and requires no further work. Offered in an elaborately carved gilt wood frame.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The prime version of this composition is Rembrandt van Rijn's Portrait of a Bearded Man in the Fogg Museum, Cambridge, Massachusetts (inv. no. 1930.191).¹

1. See E. van de Wetering, A Corpus of Rembrandt Paintings, vol. VI, The Hague 2015, pp. 520-521, cat. no. 81, reproduced p. 147, plate 81.