New England Attic Find: Rare Portrait after Rembrandt Sells for $1.4 million

Thomaston Place Auction Galleries has once again made headlines with an extraordinary find—a 17th-century portrait 'after Rembrandt', discovered in an attic during a routine estate visit in Camden, Maine. The painting, depicting a young girl in traditional Dutch attire, fetched an astounding $1.4 million, breaking auction records in Maine and solidifying Thomaston Place's reputation as a leader in the art world.

What started as a typical house call to a private estate in Camden, Maine, soon turned into a once-in-a-lifetime discovery for Kaja Veilleux, the gallery's founder and a seasoned appraiser with over 50 years of experience in New England’s fine art scene.

"We often go in blind on house calls, not knowing what we’ll find," Veilleux said.

Among a collection of heirlooms and antiques, tucked away in the attic, was a stunning portrait of a teenage girl, her serene expression framed by a ruffled white collar and cap. The artwork, painted on a cradled oak panel and encased in a hand-carved Dutch frame, displayed impeccable preservation for its age.

A label affixed to the verso of the portrait attributed it to Rembrandt and referenced its previous display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 1970. Recognizing the piece’s significance, Thomaston Place added it to their annual Summer Grandeur sale. The auction, a three-day event featuring over 1,500 lots of fine art and collectibles, would soon witness a bidding war unlike any other.

On the second day of the sale, nine of Thomaston Place’s team members manned the phones, with bidders from around the globe. As the price soared, three determined phone bidders remained, driving the final sale into the millions. Ultimately, Zebulon Casperson, representing the winning European bidder, secured the piece for a staggering $1.4 million. Reflecting on the experience, Casperson shared, "Out of all the phone bids I’ve handled, I never imagined I’d help close a deal for over a million dollars. It feels like a shared victory."

This record-breaking sale marked a significant milestone for Thomaston Place Auction Galleries, further cementing its status as Northern New England's premier auction house. With its dedication to uncovering hidden gems and bringing rare and valuable works to market, the gallery continues to attract global attention from collectors and experts alike.

In an interview with WMTW, Channel 8, Veilleux said, "To me, it's about protecting and bringing this art to light so it's protected, cared for, and preserved."

Beyond high-profile sales like this, Thomaston Place remains committed to serving local communities with its free valuation services and charitable fundraising events. As Kaja Veilleux and his team continue to discover treasures hidden in estates across New England, one can only imagine what historic finds may emerge next. What's in your attic?