X-ray reveals portrait of Rembrandt as a young man
The rethink came after X-ray analysis revealed outlines of a self-portrait of the artist as a young man underneath.
Ernst van de Wetering, of the Rembrandt Research Project, cited the new X-ray scans of the painting, Bearded Old Man, in addition to stylistic analysis and circumstantial evidence in support of the conclusion.
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Hide AdMr van de Wetering dates the 6in x 8in painting to 1630, when Rembrandt was 24.
His reputation as a portraitist was rapidly growing and he was preparing to leave Leiden for Amsterdam.
The painting shows a man with unkempt white hair, lost in thought with a hint of sadness.
It will be displayed in May at the Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam.