A painting by Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669) has dramatically resurfaced after being considered lost for nearly a century, existing only as a black-and-white photograph until now. The artwork, depicting the artist's son Titus as the Evangelist John, is set to create waves in the art world when it goes to auction this December.
The mysterious journey of this rediscovered masterpiece began to unfold in December 2024 when reporters visited the London headquarters of Sotheby's auction house. In the cramped office of Old Master paintings chief George Gordon hung a canvas that would soon become the center of international attention. The painting clearly shows Rembrandt's son Titus, who died tragically young at age 26, with facial features recognizable from other known works by the artist. However, Sotheby's kept this art sensation secret for an entire year while conducting extensive research.
By November 2025, after a full year of investigations, Sotheby's expert George Gordon confirmed the authenticity of the work in Amsterdam, Rembrandt's home city. Standing directly beneath the freshly cleaned painting of Titus, Gordon declared with confidence: "We can now say this is a completely authentic work entirely by Rembrandt's own hand." The painting, measuring 81 x 63 centimeters, has been cleaned but not extensively restored, preserving its original character.
The research revealed fascinating details about the artwork's composition and meaning. Rather than simply portraying his son, Rembrandt created the painting around 1660 as a religious work, depicting Titus as the Evangelist John. X-ray and infrared imaging uncovered hidden elements behind the figure, including the suggestion of an eagle - the heraldic animal associated with Saint John. The technical analysis also revealed that Rembrandt made changes during the painting process, such as shifting the tassel of the garment to the left side.
The painting's ownership history adds another layer of intrigue to its story. From 1926, the work belonged to steel magnate Fritz Thyssen (1873-1951), a complex figure who initially supported the Nazi regime before breaking with it. Hermann Göring, Hitler's deputy and notorious art thief, had already made inquiries about acquiring the Rembrandt. However, Thyssen managed to keep his art collection safe from Nazi confiscation during World War II.
Following his imprisonment in a concentration camp and later internment by Allied forces, the industrialist emigrated to Argentina in 1949. The painting remained with Thyssen's family in South America for decades, hidden from the art world's view. It was only recently that his descendants decided to send their treasure from Buenos Aires to London, entrusting it to Sotheby's for sale.
The auction is scheduled for December 3, with proceeds benefiting the family foundation. The minimum estimated price for this office-housed Rembrandt has been set at 5.7 million euros (approximately $6.2 million), though experts expect it could sell for significantly more given its rarity and the dramatic story of its rediscovery. This remarkable reappearance of a lost masterpiece demonstrates how artworks can sometimes survive against all odds, hidden away for generations before emerging to captivate the art world once again.
