Have you ever heard of the idea or the concept a Rembrandt, in the attic? It refers to a piece of our valuable artwork or other collectible item that’s been forgotten or overlooked over the years and possibly sitting in an attic or basement some somewhere. In this training, Bradley shares how you could have “Rembrandts” in the attic (aka forgotten files) of your business.
Forgotten In The Attic?
While it may seem like a far-fetched idea, there have been actually many instances where a valuable object has been discovered in someone else’s home. Often these discoveries are made after the owner has passed away. One such discovery was a literal Rembrandt in someone’s attic. I’d like to give you a few examples of such discoveries, and how it all ties into your business in this quick training.
The Lost Caravaggio
In 2014, an art historian named Erik Turquin was asked to look at a painting that had been hanging in a family’s kitchen for years. The painting depicted a biblical scene, and it was believed to be a copy of a lost Caravaggio painting. However, Turquin quickly realized that it was the real thing. After extensive restoration, the painting was authenticated as Caravaggio’s “Judith Beheading Holofernes” and sold at auction for over €100 million.
The painting was originally discovered in Toulouse, France. It had been stored in an attic for years. The owners had no idea of its true value, because they believed it was a copy. After finding out the truth, they decided to sell the painting. It had been hidden with their family for generations. The sale of the painting made headlines around the world and brought attention to the phenomenon of the Rembrandt in the attic.
“Sunset at Montmajour,” The Forgotten Van Gogh
In 2013, a painting believed to be a fake was discovered in an attic in Norway. The owners had inherited the painting from a relative. They also had no idea of its value. After some research, it was determined that the painting was actually a previously unknown work by Vincent Van Gogh, painted in 1888. It was valued at over $60 million. Now, it is on display at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
The painting is titled “Sunset at Montmajour.” It was originally rejected by Van Gogh’s brother because he thought it was fake. It was then sold to a Norwegian collector who stored it in his attic for years. After the collector’s death, his family discovered the painting and had it authenticated. The discovery of this forgotten Van Gogh caused a sensation in the art world. It serves to remind us that sometimes valuable treasures can be hiding in plain sight.
Rembrandt In The Attic
In 2016, an art historian named Jan Six purchased a painting at auction that he believed to be a previously unseen work by Rembrandt. The painting, which depicts a young man in a black coat and white collar, had been in a private collection for over 300 years and had never been exhibited. After extensive research and analysis, Six was able to confirm that the painting was indeed a genuine Rembrandt, painted around 1634. It is now on display at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
The discovery of this unseen Rembrandt caused a stir in the art world and shed light on the importance of provenance (the history of ownership of a work of art) in determining its authenticity. The painting had been in the same family for generations, but had been forgotten and overlooked, until Jan Six recognized its true value.
What’s In Your “Attic?”
These stories of Rembrandts in the attic serve as a reminder that valuable treasures can be hiding in plain sight. While it may seem unlikely that you have a lost masterpiece sitting in your home, it’s always worth taking a closer look at the business assets sitting on your laptop from the years. Who knows what you might find? The phenomenon of the Rembrandt in the attic has captured the public’s imagination, and continues to inspire treasure hunters around the world. So, take a look in your attic or basement – you never know what you might discover.
Grow Your Leadership
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It’s difficult to get to your destination if you aren’t sure where you currently are! After all, the path from Minnesota to Canada is very different than the path from Mexico to Canada. If you aren’t certain where you’re at today in business, you need to take the Rainmaker to Architect assessment. It will gauge your strengths and weaknesses as a leader and in your business. Then, you’ll get detailed, specific suggestions for improvement. Take the assessment here.