Portrait of Dirck van Os

The "Portrait of Dirck van Os" is a captivating painting by Rembrandt, created around 1658. This masterpiece is housed in the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska. Initially, art experts believed the painting to be a work from Rembrandt's school, rather than by the master himself. However, in 2012, the painting was sent to Amsterdam for a thorough examination and conservation under the supervision of Ernst van de Wetering, a leading Rembrandt authority. Following meticulous study and restoration, it was confirmed as an authentic Rembrandt.

The portrait features Dirck van Os III, a prominent Dutch citizen and the son of Dirck van Os, a significant figure in Amsterdam’s financial and maritime sectors, and a founder of several essential institutions in the city. In the painting, van Os is depicted as an elderly man, seated and dressed in a simple black robe with white collar and cuffs, holding a cane. During the restoration, later additions such as lace around the collar and a chain with a cross were removed to restore the painting to its original state.

In 2014, the beautifully restored painting was unveiled and added to the permanent collection at the Joslyn Art Museum. Two years later, in 2016, the museum provided it with a new frame. The original ornate Louis XIV frame was replaced with a more understated one, better suited to the painting’s historical context and Dutch heritage. This new frame was a generous gift from the Joslyn Art Museum Association.