CODART, Dutch and Flemish art in museums worldwide

Two African Men a copy after Rembrandt van Rijn’s painting in the Mauritshuis is temporarily exhibited at the National Art Museum of Romania (MNAR). The oil on canvas by an anonymous artist dating from the seventeenth century is normally kept in storage.

The work comes from the Pinacoteca Statului (Museum of the Municipality of Bucharest) but its provenance is unknown. It was probably acquired in the interbellum and given to MNAR, at that time the Art Museum of the Republic. The painting has a nineteenth-century inscription on the back stating that it is a copy after Rembrandt. The Bucharest picture is slightly taller than Rembrandt’s original (measuring 83.9×59.2 cm vs 77.8 x 64.4 cm) and was most likely made by one of his pupils. Differences in expression and in the costume of the character in the foreground can be seen, however the natural, realistic character of the expressions and features are preserved.

Although in need of restoration, it is uncertain if and when it will be treated. According to Mălina Conțu, head of the European art  department at MNAR, there are hundreds of works in need of conservation work and only six specialists are available.

The painting is presented as part of the  “Works in Focus” series, a program taking place in the European Art Gallery. Along with this, several lectures were also given by Mălina Conțu on the theme of people of color in paintings.