Portrait of a Man with Arms Akimbo

The painting *Portrait of a Man with Arms Akimbo*, originally known as *Portrait of a Foreign Admiral* or *Portrait of a Dutch Admiral*, is a captivating oil portrait by Rembrandt, created in 1658. Today, this masterpiece is on display at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. The painting measures 107.4 cm by 87.0 cm.

This remarkable artwork was rediscovered in December 2009 after being out of public view for about four decades. In an exciting turn of events, art collector Steve Wynn purchased it at a Christie's auction in December 2009 for a staggering £20 million, setting a new record for the highest price ever paid for a Rembrandt painting. Two years later, in 2011, Isabel and Alfred Bader acquired the painting. They showcased it at the 2011 TEFAF art show in Maastricht, pricing it at €47 million. Ultimately, the Baders chose to donate this exquisite piece to the Agnes Etherington Art Centre in December 2015.

The painting's provenance is equally fascinating. Its history dates back to 1915 when renowned art historian Hofstede de Groot documented it. It was exhibited at the British Institution in London in 1847 and was part of George Folliot's collection. Over the years, it changed hands several times and was included in the Columbia University art collection, as cataloged by Horst Gerson in 1968. Eventually, Huntington Hartford, a member of the A&P supermarket chain family, acquired the painting. In a generous gesture, he donated it to Columbia University in 1958, with the donation valued at approximately $185,000.

This painting's rich history and journey to its current home make it a truly intriguing piece of art to explore and appreciate.