Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn – Let The Little Children Come Unto Me, c.1627
A rare and fascinating early history painting by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn comes up at Sotheby’s in London on July 1. Discovered just over a decade ago, and carefully restored since it offers insights into his working practices and reveals a powerful message of tolerance. There is a vivid self-portrait, depictions of his mother and father and, quite possibly, of his god-parents and god-sister too. In no other image does Rembrandt bring his family together so completely. He made it after his return to Leiden following his apprenticeship with leading Amsterdam artist Pieter Lastman. Rembrandt ultimately left the foreground unfinished. It was completed at a later point, by an unidentified contemporary or follower. Recent restoration has removed these additions to reveal Rembrandt’s original hand.
The tall figure in the centre of the scene had – under Rembrandt’s hand – been wearing a turban, but this was replaced during the re-painting by a more familiar-looking Dutch soft cap. The presence of this oriental (possibly Muslim) figure might here be particularly pertinent, given that the Jewish and Christian faiths are also represented in the painting. In light of this, it is possible that Rembrandt was seeking to harness the image to spotlight the question of tolerance between faiths. The 30 years war at its height and Leiden was full of refugees, a question that would have probably preoccupied him at this time.
Rivalry between religious factions was then spilling onto the street, something Rembrandt would have felt acutely, given his own mixed religious heritage (his mother had Catholic roots, his father Protestant).
The estimate for the work is £8-£12 million.
