A rare print by Rembrandt found in an old Victorian chest of drawers will go on sale in December, highlighting the link between private collecting and the international art market.
How the rare Rembrandt print emerged
In 2024, Edward Barlow was tidying up the Norfolk studio of his father, the set designer and painter Alan Barlow, who had recently passed away. While rummaging through a Victorian chest of drawers, he found a drawer full of prints and drawings.
Among these emerged a small etching, roughly A5 in size, depicting a man in a fur-trimmed cloak writing in a ledger and handing a bag of gold to a kneeling youth. The 17th-century style and a handwritten note from his father suggested it might be a Rembrandt.
It was only later understood that the work was an original proof of The Goldweigher (1639), a famous etching depicting Jan Uytenbogaert, the chief tax collector of Amsterdam.
Why the discovery is so important in the market
The work will be offered on December 3 by the English auction house Cheffins, with an estimate between £10,000 and £20,000 (equivalent to $13,100-26,200). This is a figure well above the initial expectations of the owner. The lot, in particular, is 138.
Barlow, who recounted the discovery in an article in the Guardian, thought the print was worth a few hundred dollars. He was convinced it was one of the many impressions taken from the master’s copper plates after his death, generally common and of little value.
The experts at Cheffins, however, recognized the sheet as one of the rare preparatory proofs that Rembrandt made before the final version on copper. To date, two others are known, kept at the British Museum and the Baltimore Museum of Art.
What elements confirm the authenticity of the proof
The first clue is the orientation of the image: like the copper plate, it is reversed compared to the final print. This allowed the artist to refine the composition directly from the matrix.
Moreover, the paper bears the same Strasbourg lily watermark found in other original prints by the Dutch painter. This material detail is crucial for scholars of ancient graphics.
Finally, under magnification, black chalk lines are evident, interpreted as traces of the preparatory drawing executed by the artist’s hand. Overall, all these elements reinforce the rarity of the work and support its market valuation.
What was the relationship between Rembrandt and Jan Uytenbogaert
It is likely that Rembrandt and Uytenbogaert met in Leiden, where the painter was born and remained until 1631. According to historical reconstructions, a relationship of friendship and shared interests developed between the two.
Both loved graphics and collecting, a common ground that favored a lasting collaboration. Moreover, on several occasions, the tax official supported the painter in delicate moments, especially financially.
In 1639, Uytenbogaert helped the artist when he was unable to meet the installments of the large house on Breestraat in Amsterdam. According to Cheffins, The Goldweigher may have been conceived as a thank-you gift.
How the proof illuminates the portrait
The auction house emphasizes how the meticulous attention to the facial features of Uytenbogaert, evident even in this proof, reveals the intimate dimension of the work. It is not just a professional subject, but a figure linked to the artist’s private life.
Compared to many prints of a more narrative character, this sheet seems to focus on the character of the person, conveying seriousness and responsibility. This enhances collectors’ interest in the portrait.
For those following the market of ancient etchings, a proof with such a level of definition and personal provenance offers a rare glimpse into the master’s creative process, far beyond serial impressions.
How Alan Barlow came to the proof
According to the son’s account, Alan Barlow was a “great admirer of Rembrandt.” He would have purchased the proof of The Goldweigher during a period spent in Amsterdam in the 1970s.
The work then remained stored for decades in his Norfolk studio, without anyone fully grasping its historical and commercial value. Only the tidying up after his death allowed the sheet to resurface.
In this sense, the story fits into a long tradition of masterpieces rediscovered in private archives, attics, and artists’ studios, which still today fuel the segment of “drawer discoveries” in the international market.
What impact does the Rembrandt print have on the Barlow family
For Edward Barlow, the investigation into the lost print also meant reconnecting with his father’s memory. However, despite the sentimental value, he never considered hanging The Goldweigher at home.
As he himself wrote, the proceeds from the auction will be shared with his sister. Additionally, he is considering using his share to purchase a painting by a contemporary artist, thus associating the new acquisition with the day he discovered a Rembrandt in a drawer.
Overall, the story combines the charm of 17th-century graphics, the dynamics of international auctions, and the personal dimension of a family that, almost by chance, finds itself the owner of a museum rarity.
As expert in digital marketing, Amelia began working in the fintech sector in 2014 after writing her thesis on Bitcoin technology. Previously author for several international crypto-related magazines and CMO at Eidoo. She is now the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Cryptonomist and Econique.
She is also a marketing teacher at Digital Coach in Milan and she published a book about NFTs for the Italian publishing house Mondadori, while she is also helping artists and company to entering in the sector. As advisor, Amelia is also involved in metaverse-related project such as The Nemesis and OVER.
