How is art authenticated? The unique discovery of a Vermeer in Belgium
25/01/2025
By Hubert d’Ursel, Director Benelux, The Fine Art Group and Gregory Rubinstein, Head of Old Masters & Early British Drawings, worldwide at Sotheby’s in London
It is a rare occurrence for new attributions to be made to great masters, or for works to be rediscovered. The last Johannes Vermeer, Young Woman Seated at a Virginal, n° 37 of his recognised works, was found 30 years ago in Belgium. The painting, which had been attributed to Vermeer before the Second World War, had not been shown in public since 1907, and had been neglected and ignored by specialists for more than 60 years. In 1993, the owner entrusted it to Sotheby’s, which embarked on a 10-year research programme before definitively confirming it as a Vermeer and presenting it on the international market in 2004. This is something that hardly ever happens, worthy of a novel. These exceptional events took place in Belgium, and Hubert d’Ursel and Gregory Rubinstein experienced them firsthand.
Language of the talk: English
Join us at 4pm at the stand King Baudouin Foundation n°135
Copyrights: Johannes Vermeer (Delft, 1632-1675), Young Woman Seated at a Virginal, circa 1672-1675, oil on canvas, 25.5 x 20.1 cm, The Leiden collection
Hubert d’Ursel © Martin Pilette
It is a rare occurrence for new attributions to be made to great masters, or for works to be rediscovered. The last Johannes Vermeer, Young Woman Seated at a Virginal, n° 37 of his recognised works, was found 30 years ago in Belgium. The painting, which had been attributed to Vermeer before the Second World War, had not been shown in public since 1907, and had been neglected and ignored by specialists for more than 60 years. In 1993, the owner entrusted it to Sotheby’s, which embarked on a 10-year research programme before definitively confirming it as a Vermeer and presenting it on the international market in 2004. This is something that hardly ever happens, worthy of a novel. These exceptional events took place in Belgium, and Hubert d’Ursel and Gregory Rubinstein experienced them firsthand.
Language of the talk: English
Join us at 4pm at the stand King Baudouin Foundation n°135
Copyrights: Johannes Vermeer (Delft, 1632-1675), Young Woman Seated at a Virginal, circa 1672-1675, oil on canvas, 25.5 x 20.1 cm, The Leiden collection
Hubert d’Ursel © Martin Pilette
