Rembrandt van Rijn Artwork Value | Prices, Originals vs Prints, How to Sell

Q: Which Rembrandt works are most valuable?

Autograph paintings command the highest prices - Portrait of a Man with Arms Akimbo (1658) holds the auction record at EUR 23.2 million (Christie's, 2009). The Rembrandt Research Project reduced accepted paintings from 630 to approximately 300. Among etchings, early states of biblical scenes and self-portraits on Japanese paper are most prized. Drawings range from $100,000 to $20 million for exceptional works.

Q: How can I tell if my Rembrandt signature is authentic?

Rembrandt's signature evolved distinctly: 'R' (c. 1625), then 'RH' and 'RHL' (including 'L' for Leiden), then 'Rembrant' (1632), and finally 'Rembrandt' with a 'd' from 1633 onward. From 1633, he signed with only his first name, like Italian Renaissance masters. Caution: Rembrandt sometimes signed pupils' work, and later owners added false signatures. Our artwork valuation guide explains what experts assess beyond the signature.

At-a-glance: Rembrandt van Rijn

The greatest artist of the Dutch Golden Age, Rembrandt was a master painter, printmaker, and draughtsman whose etchings remain among the most collected Old Master prints — and whose paintings achieve some of the highest prices in art history.

Bio

Name: Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn
Years Active: 1625–1669
Nationality: Dutch

Style

Dutch Golden Age Baroque. Dramatic chiaroscuro, psychological depth in portraiture, and revolutionary etching technique with multiple states and drypoint burr.

What to look for

Bartsch or New Hollstein catalogue numbers for etchings, watermarks and paper type (Japanese vs European), impression state, signature evolution ("RHL" to "Rembrandt"), provenance documentation.

What Rembrandt works do people actually own?

Most Rembrandt works in private hands are etchings, not paintings — only about 300 autograph paintings are accepted today, and most are in museums. If you have an old painting attributed to Rembrandt, authentication is critical. For etchings, understanding whether you have a lifetime impression or a later restrike determines value. See our guide on originals vs prints for more context.

Later restrikes and posthumous impressions — $500–$5,000
Impressions pulled from Rembrandt's original copper plates after his death in 1669. The Basan editions (1786+) are most common — Pierre-François Basan acquired 80 plates and printed them repeatedly. Plates were reworked over generations, losing detail. Many online buyers overpay for restrikes mistakenly marketed as lifetime impressions.
Lifetime impression etchings — $5,000–$150,000+
Impressions printed during Rembrandt's life (before 1669) show rich detail with visible drypoint burr. Paper type matters: Japanese paper (smooth, ivory-colored, used 1647–1665) indicates lifetime impressions and commands premiums. The New Hollstein catalogue (2013) identifies 314 prints with multiple states — earlier states are more valuable. Top subjects include The Hundred Guilder Print, The Three Crosses, and The Three Trees.
Drawings — $100,000–$20,000,000+
Approximately 300–400 drawings are now accepted as autograph (down from Benesch's 1,384). Media includes pen and ink, chalk, and wash on paper. Young Lion Resting (c. late 1630s) was estimated at $15–20 million at Sotheby's in 2026. Attribution remains contested — ongoing revision at rembrandtcatalogue.net aims to complete a new catalogue by 2030–35.
Original paintings — $1,000,000–$30,000,000+
The Rembrandt Research Project reduced accepted paintings from Bredius's 630 to approximately 300. Portrait of a Man with Arms Akimbo (1658) holds the auction record at EUR 23.2 million (Christie's, 2009). Privately, pendant portraits sold to the Rijksmuseum and Louvre for EUR 160 million combined (2016). Attribution is heavily scrutinized — workshop confusion with pupils like Ferdinand Bol and Govert Flinck remains a major issue.

Upload your piece for expert assessment of state, impression quality, and current market value.

How to verify Rembrandt authenticity

Authentication is critical for Rembrandt — forgery and misattribution have plagued the market for centuries. Before getting a valuation, understand these key points:

No single authentication body: The Rembrandt Research Project concluded in 2011. Authentication now relies on independent experts, the Rembrandt Database (rembrandtdatabase.org), and institutional research
Catalogue raisonné for etchings: The New Hollstein by Hinterding & Rutgers (2013, 7 volumes) is the current standard — 314 prints with 200+ newly identified states. Bartsch numbers ("B.") from 1797 are still widely used
Catalogue raisonné for paintings: The RRP's Corpus of Rembrandt Paintings (6 volumes, 1982–2015) is authoritative — it reduced accepted paintings from 630 to approximately 300
Paper and watermarks: For etchings, Japanese paper (used 1647–1665) indicates lifetime impressions. European paper watermarks help date impressions. Restrikes typically use later paper
Forgery warning: Active forgery rings target Rembrandt — in 2025, German police busted a ring attempting to sell a fake for $150 million. Workshop pieces with added signatures are common

Upload photos of the front, back, any watermarks visible against light, and documentation for assessment.

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Rembrandt artwork FAQs

There is no single official authentication body for Rembrandt — the Rembrandt Research Project concluded in 2011. Authentication now relies on independent experts, the Rembrandt Database, and institutional research. For etchings, check The New Hollstein catalogue (2013, 7 volumes) for state identification and compare watermarks. For general guidance on distinguishing originals from reproductions, see our original vs print artwork guide.

Lifetime impressions were printed during Rembrandt's life (before 1669) and show rich detail with visible drypoint burr — these sell for $5,000–$150,000+. Restrikes are posthumous impressions from the original plates, pulled by later owners like Basan (1786+) from worn plates — these sell for $500–$5,000. Paper type matters: Japanese paper (used 1647–1665) indicates lifetime impressions. Understanding these differences is essential before getting a valuation.

Yes — but value varies enormously by impression quality, state, and paper. Lifetime impressions of major subjects like The Hundred Guilder Print or The Three Crosses can reach six or seven figures. Common subjects in later states on European paper might sell for $5,000–$20,000. Restrikes and worn impressions are worth $500–$5,000. A free appraisal can help identify your specific impression.

Autograph paintings command the highest prices — Portrait of a Man with Arms Akimbo (1658) holds the auction record at EUR 23.2 million (Christie's, 2009). The Rembrandt Research Project reduced accepted paintings from 630 to approximately 300. Among etchings, early states of biblical scenes and self-portraits on Japanese paper are most prized. Drawings range from $100,000 to $20 million for exceptional works.

The right venue depends on value. Etchings under $20,000 suit specialist Old Master print dealers or regional auctions. Works valued $20,000–$200,000 belong at Christie's, Sotheby's, or Bonhams Old Master sales. Above $200,000, consign to major evening sales. For pieces valued over $1,000, we can help connect you with the right channel — see our selling guide for more details.

Rembrandt's signature evolved distinctly: "R" (c. 1625), then "RH" and "RHL" (including "L" for Leiden), then "Rembrant" (1632), and finally "Rembrandt" with a "d" from 1633 onward. From 1633, he signed with only his first name, like Italian Renaissance masters. Caution: Rembrandt sometimes signed pupils' work, and later owners added false signatures. Our artwork valuation guide explains what experts assess beyond the signature.

How to sell Rembrandt artwork

Ready to sell your artwork? Here's the process for Rembrandt pieces at any value level.

1

Get a valuation

Upload photos and we'll research your piece against The New Hollstein or Bartsch catalogues for etchings, assess impression quality and state, examine paper type for dating, and provide a realistic market value range.

2

Verify authenticity if needed

For paintings, independent expert review is essential given the contested attribution history. For etchings, confirm state, watermarks, and impression quality against catalogue references. Major works benefit from consultation with the Rembrandt Database or institutional specialists.

3

Choose the right channel

Under $20K: Specialist Old Master print dealers, regional auctions.
$20K–$200K: Christie's, Sotheby's, or Bonhams Old Master print and drawing sales.
$200K+: Major Old Master evening sales; private sale through established dealers for paintings.

4

Prepare documentation

Gather provenance records, catalogue references, prior sale history, and any scholarly opinions. For etchings, document state, paper type, and watermarks. Old Master works require thorough due diligence — complete documentation significantly affects buyer confidence and price.

Ready to get a free Rembrandt valuation?

Upload photos of your artwork — front, back, any visible watermarks, and documentation — and receive a research-backed estimate with guidance on authenticity, pricing, and selling options.