Maerten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppin, by Rembrandt, will remain together forever

Since March 10 th, you can see at the Louvre, two portraits « en pied » (full-length) of Maerten Soolmans and his wife Oopjen Coppit painted by Rembrandt in 1634. This little miracle is due to a very ingenious cooperation between the Rijksmuseum in The Hague, and the Louvre in Paris. The Dutch bought the man, the French bought the lady. Some French curator friends have already told me that the Dutch got the better deal because the lady is not painted as well…

Anyway, what is certain is that these two life size portraits acquired by Gustave de Rothschild and his family in 1877, will end their days together. For there is a paragraph in the sales contract (of a 160 M€) which stipulates that both paintings will have to be hanging together, whether in Holland or in France.

The hanging of the paintings was inaugurated by President Hollande and King Willem Alexander and his wife Queen Marina, on the 10th of March. The “French” painting was bought by the State through Banque de France.

The two Rembrandts can be seen at the Louvre until June 13 th in Aile Denon, Salle 13, on the first floor. Make sure you take a map with you, because the walk up the stairs and through the Grande galerie is at least ten minute long. But it is worth the adventure !