Rembrandt’s De Vaandeldrager (1636) is in the Netherlands and housed in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. This is reported by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. The purchase of the painting has been completed and more information will soon become clear about how and when the painting will be presented to the public.
The painting is now in the Rijksmuseum’s restoration studio. The purchase of the painting was announced at the beginning of December . For 175 million euros, the masterpiece is taken over from the French banking family Rothschild. The Dutch state paid 150 million euros; the Rembrandt Association and the Rijksmuseum Fund paid for the remaining 25 million euros.
Self-portrait as a young flag bearer
During a parliamentary debate on 16 December, a week after the announcement of the purchase, the House of Representatives formally approved the purchase of the painting. However, there was criticism. The art sector is suffering heavily from the corona crisis and it was said from various sides that the money for De Vaandeldrager could have been better used to help ailing artists and art institutions.
The painting is a self-portrait of Rembrandt as a young standard-bearer in the Eighty Years’ War and is said to mark his breakthrough. After this he was commissioned, among other things, for De Nachtwacht .
Former Minister of Culture Van Engelshoven called it important to purchase the painting.
Reporting by NOS
