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Rijksmuseum discover new Rembrandt painting depicting biblical Zacharias scene

  • Writer: maxwell museums
    maxwell museums
  • 3 days ago
  • 2 min read

The Rijksmuseum has discovered a new painting by Rembrandt, it has been announced.


Expert researchers at the museum have recently re-examined the artwork, and thanks to new advanced technologies, they’ve confirmed that it is by the great Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn.


Vision of Zacharias in the Temple was painted in 1633. It depicts a scene from the biblical story of high priest Zacharias when he receives a visit from the Archangel Gabriel who tells him he will have a son: John the Baptist. The angel is not shown in the painting, but the light shining from the upper right corner heralds his arrival.


A Rembrandt painting on an easel showing a priest holding a scroll. In a studio, a person works in the background. Warm, dim colors dominate.
Rembrandt’s Vision of Zacharias in the Temple (1633) in the conservation lab. Photo: Kelly Schenk, Rijksmuseum

In 1960, the painting was deemed not to be an authentic Rembrandt work. After being purchased by a private individual in 1961, it disappeared from public view and its whereabouts were unknown for nearly 65 years.


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But recently the current owner contacted the Rijksmuseum, and experts have now been able to examine the work once again, using the latest technology. It's the same technology that the museum has been using on its landmark conservation project of another Rembrandt painting in its collection, The Night Watch.


The Rijksmuseum's findings on Rembrandt's Vision of Zacharias


Museum bosses say that after a two-year study, tests and analysis have all supported the conclusion that this painting is a genuine work by Rembrandt. It means it was painted by the Dutch master when he was just 27 years old.


A regal figure in a Rembrandt painting in ornate robes reads a scroll in dim lighting. A gold jug and ornate tablecloth adorn a table, creating a solemn mood.
Rembrandt van Rijn, Vision of Zacharias in the Temple (1633) Private collection. Image courtesy of the Rijksmuseum

New revelations include the fact that all the paints used for Vision of Zacharias in the Temple are found in other Rembrandt van Rijn works from the same period.


The painting technique and the build-up of paint layers are also comparable to other early works by Rembrandt. Macro-XRF scans and visual inspection additionally revealed compositional changes that support the authenticity of the work.


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Research into the signature shows that it is original, and dendrochronological analysis of the wooden panel confirms that the date of 1633 on the painting is correct.


A person shines a light on a Rembrandt painting of a crowned figure while another hand points at it. Focused and detailed examination.
Researchers with Rembrandt’s Vision of Zacharias in the Temple (1633). Photo: Kelly Schenk, Rijksmuseum

The artwork is now on long-term loan to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam from its private collector-owner, and will be on view to the public from Wednesday 4 March 2026.


The Director of the Rijksmuseum, Taco Dibbits, has hailed the discovery, calling it “a beautiful example of the unique way Rembrandt depicts stories.” He added that “it’s wonderful that people can now learn more about the young Rembrandt.”


And speaking to the Associated Press, Dibbits highlighted the rarity of such a find. “We always hope to find a new Rembrandt, but this happens rarely,” he said. Making such a discovery “is just like (finding) a needle in a haystack.”

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