Rembrandt work altered by unknown artist who painted over turban

A painting initially cataloged as "anonymous Dutch 17th-century" has been revealed as a work by Rembrandt van Rijn after undergoing significant restoration. The artwork, titled 'Let the little children come unto me,' was discovered in 2014 and has now been meticulously restored, uncovering Rembrandt's original composition.

During the restoration process, conservators removed several layers of paint, revealing that an unknown artist had made substantial alterations. Notably, a turban was painted over, replaced by a traditional Dutch hat. The unknown artist also modified Jesus's facial hair, added clothing to a child who was originally naked, and changed a female figure into a child. These changes suggest a deliberate effort to alter the painting's original intent and appearance.

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Rembrandt painted this bustling scene of Christ welcoming children and families. It was very controversial at the time. There were people in Leiden who did not want to welcome them. But what we can see from this painting is that Rembrandt is on the side of humanitarian aid.

Art historians believe Rembrandt began the work in 1627. The painting depicts Christ welcoming children and families, a theme that was controversial at the time. Andrew Graham-Dixon, an art historian, suggests that Rembrandt's original work portrayed a humanitarian stance during a period of crisis in Leiden, when thousands of refugees arrived due to the Thirty Years' War. The scene likely reflected the multicultural environment of Leiden and Rembrandt's support for humanitarian aid.

This restored masterpiece is now set to be unveiled to the public at Sotheby's on June 26. It will go up for auction on July 1, with an estimated value ranging between £8 million and £12 million. The revelation and upcoming auction highlight the ongoing discoveries and evolving understanding of Old Masters' works.

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This is more than just a painting, I think it is a statement about Rembrandt's moral standpoint.