During the COVID-19 pandemic, many found themselves with unexpected time at home, but few experienced a discovery as remarkable as Charlotte Meyer. While unpacking after a move, she came across a collection of etchings that her late grandfather had passed down to her. Upon sharing her findings with the Rembrandt House in Amsterdam, experts confirmed that the 35 etchings were indeed authentic works by the renowned Dutch master.
The etchings had been stored for years in a drawer at her family home in Zutphen, a town in eastern Netherlands. Meyer's grandfather had acquired these pieces between 1900 and 1920, a time when such artworks were not highly sought after. Meyer recalled, "Nobody was interested in etching ... It was nothing special. For only a few guilders, my grandfather bought 35 different copies."
While the exact value of Meyer's collection remains undisclosed, it is noteworthy that Christie's London recently auctioned a collection of Rembrandt prints, with one etching selling for a staggering $4.2 million, marking the highest price ever for an Old Master print. Other pieces from the same auction sold for less than $50,000 each, illustrating a wide range in value among Rembrandt's works.
Next month, these 35 etchings, along with additional artworks Meyer has collected over the years--including pieces by Rembrandt's predecessors and contemporaries--will be showcased in an exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum Zutphen. Titled "From Dark to Light," the exhibition will run from March 21 to June 14, offering a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts to appreciate these remarkable rediscoveries.
