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A Rembrandt painting from the 17th century, found in an attic, fetched $1.4 million at an auction in Maine, setting a new record for the state. The artwork, known as “Portrait of Girl” by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, was sold at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries located in Thomaston, a small town in southern Maine. This sale marked a record-breaking event for Maine auctions, the organization confirmed.
The painting features a young girl dressed in traditional Dutch clothing, including a white collar and cap, and her expression is one of calmness. The priceless find was made by Kaja Veilleux, the founder of Thomaston Place, in a Camden attic, situated about 12 miles northeast from where it was eventually auctioned.
During the auction held on August 24, 2024, three determined bidders drove the price up, culminating in a winning bid of $1.4 million. Zebulon Casperson, the auction host, expressed his amazement over facilitating a transaction of such magnitude, describing it as a collective triumph.
Veilleux recounted the discovery of the masterpiece during a normal house visit, where amidst several noteworthy items in the attic, the Rembrandt portrait stood out. Previously, in 1970, this particular painting had been exhibited at the Philadelphia Museum of Art within a hand-carved frame, further noted by the auction house.