Public to be offered a glimpse of unseen Rembrandt before sale

Published on Friday 18 September 2009 19:37

A Rembrandt masterpiece, unseen in public for more than 40 years, is expected to fetch up to £25 million when it goes under the hammer.

Auction house Christie's said Portrait Of A Man, Half-Length, with his Arms Akimbo could break the 19.8 million record for a Rembrandt, set by Portrait of a Lady aged 62, in 2003. The Dutch master's painting is being offered by a private collector at Christie's in London – the first time it has appeared at auction since 1930. The work dates from one of the most creative and turbulent periods in Rembrandt's life, when he was declared bankrupt and forced to sell his studio.

Richard Knight, international co-head of old masters and 19th-century art at Christie's said: "Rembrandt is recognised as one of the greatest and most influential artists in European history, and we are honoured to be able to offer at auction a truly remarkable portrait by him dated 1658. The picture has been unseen in public since 1970."

The painting will be on display at Christie's showroom in King Street, London, from 4 to 8 December.