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# Mauritshuis Scores Painting by Rembrandt's Teacher, and Nationalmuseum Acquires Two 18th-Century Drawings
- URL: https://hyperallergic.com/mauritshuis-acquires-painting-by-rembrandts-teacher-and-nationalmuseum-acquires-two-18th-century-drawings/
- Published: 2019-01-24T19:23:53.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-24T16:39:57.000Z
- Description: Plus, University of Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries acquires a rare 15th century French Gothic coffer, and Nelson and Happy Rockefeller's collection sells at auction.
- Author: Deena ElGenaidi
- Tags: News, Transactions, #wp, #wp-post, #image-position-hidden, #Import 2025-11-24 07:34 (2019, 2020, part 1)

![Pieter Lastman, "De prediking van Johannes de Doper [St John the Baptist Preaching]" (1627), 60 x 92 cm (image courtesy Schilderij and Mauritshuis)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2019/01/lastman-1460.jpg)

Pieter Lastman, “De prediking van Johannes de Doper \[St John the Baptist Preaching\]” (1627), 60 x 92 cm (image courtesy Schilderij and Mauritshuis)

The [**Mauritshuis**](https://www.mauritshuis.nl/en/press/persarchief/2019/acquisition-lastman/?ref=hyperallergic.com) in the Netherlands has acquired the painting “St John the Baptist Preaching” (1627) by **Pieter Lastman**, “**Rembrandt**’s most influential teacher.” The painting was purchased from a US owner with funds from the Friends of the Mauritshuis Foundation and a private donor. “We have been on the lookout for an outstanding example of Lastman’s work, due to the impact he had on the young Rembrandt,” said **Emilie Gordenker**, Director of the Mauritshuis. “We are extremely grateful to everyone who made our wish come true, especially the private donor and the Friends of the Mauritshuis.”

![Johann-Ernst Heinsius, "Portrait of a Woman Looking to the Right" (photo by Cecilia Heisser/Nationalmuseum)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2019/01/unknown-woman-1460.jpg)

Johann-Ernst Heinsius, “Portrait of a Woman Looking to the Right” (photo by Cecilia Heisser/Nationalmuseum)

![Louis-Jean-François Lagrenée, "Self-Portrait" (1778) (photo by Cecilia Heisser/Nationalmuseum)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2019/01/self-portrait-1460.jpg)

Louis-Jean-François Lagrenée, “Self-Portrait” (1778) (photo by Cecilia Heisser/Nationalmuseum)

[**Nationalmuseum**](https://www.nationalmuseum.se/en/press?ref=hyperallergic.com#/pressreleases/new-acquisition-two-18th-century-portrait-drawings-2825162) in Sweden has acquired two 18th century portrait drawings: a self-portrait of **Louis-Jean-François Lagrenée** (1778) and a portrait of an unknown woman by **Johann-Ernst Heinsius**. The drawings were acquired through grants from the **Hedda & N.D. Qvist** Memorial Fund and the **Magda and Max Ettler** Fund, as the Nationalmuseum receives no state funds with which to acquire work.

![Andrea Soldi, Isabella Duchess of Manchester (1738) (image courtesy Whitfield Fine Art and the Foundling Museum)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2019/01/andrea-soldi-1460.jpg)

Andrea Soldi, “Isabella, Duchess of Manchester” (1738) (image courtesy Whitfield Fine Art and the Foundling Museum)

[**The Foundling Museum**](https://foundlingmuseum.org.uk/new-acquisition-announced/?ref=hyperallergic.com) in London has acquired a painting by 18th century artists **Andrea Soldi** of Isabella, Duchess of Manchester. Soldi was a key supporter of the **Foundling Hospital**, founded in 1739, and she signed founder **Thomas Coram**’s petition in 1730\. Funds for this acquisition were provided by Art Fund, the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, the Friends of Thomas Coram, and individual donors. The painting will go on view in the Foundling Museum’s Picture Gallery.

![Coffer (image courtesy Bodleian Libraries and Richard Cave)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2019/01/coffer-1460.jpg)

Coffer (image courtesy Bodleian Libraries and Richard Cave)

[**University of Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries**](https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/news/2019/jan-22?ref=hyperallergic.com) has acquired a rare 15th century French Gothic coffer thought to have been used for holding and transporting religious texts. While thousands of manuscripts and books have survived from medieval Europe, just a little over 100 book coffers are known to exist. The coffer, acquired from a dealer, was purchased with the help of Art Fund, the Bodleian’s **Kenneth Rose** Fund, and the Friends of the Bodleian. The inside lid of the coffer contains an image from circa 1491, along with a Latin prayer that was used as a chant on special feast days. The box is currently on display in the exhibition *Thinking Inside the Box* in the Bodleian’s Weston Library, where it will remain until February 17\. The coffer will be available to researchers as well.

![Ammi Phillips, "Girl in a Red Dress with a Dog" (c. 1830–35), oil on canvas, 32 1/2 x 26 3/4 inches (image courtesy Christie's)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2019/01/girl-with-red-dress-1460.jpg)

Ammi Phillips, “Girl in a Red Dress with a Dog” (c. 1830–35), oil on canvas, 32 1/2 x 26 3/4 inches (image courtesy Christie’s)

[**Christie’s**](https://www.christies.com/important-american-furniture-folk-27968.aspx?lid=1&dt=230120191136&saletitle=&ref=hyperallergic.com) sale of Important American Furniture, Folk Art, Silver, and Prints in New York brought in a total of $7,926,500 on January 17–18\. The sale’s top lot, **Ammi Phillips**’s “[Girl in a Red Dress with a Dog](https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/paintings/ammi-phillips-girl-in-a-red-dress-6188117-details.aspx?from=salesummery&intObjectID=6188117&sid=7e1ba658-08ac-4211-beb0-5c940a79c87d&ref=hyperallergic.com)” (c. 1830–35), sold for $1,692,500.

![Henry Darger, "148 At Jennie Richee During fury of storm are unsuccessfully attached [sic] by Glandelinians/149 At Jennie Richee narrowly escape capture but Blengins come to rescue, double sided," detail, cropped, watercolor, carbon transfer, ink, graphite and collage on pieced paper, 108 1/4 x 23 inches (image courtesy Christie's)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2019/01/henry-darger-1460.jpg)

Henry Darger, “148 At Jennie Richee During fury of storm are unsuccessfully attached \[sic\] by Glandelinians/149 At Jennie Richee narrowly escape capture but Blengins come to rescue, double sided,” detail, cropped, watercolor, carbon transfer, ink, graphite and collage on pieced paper, 108 1/4 x 23 inches (image courtesy Christie’s)

[**Christie’s**](https://www.christies.com/outsider-and-vernacular-art-27969.aspx?lid=1&dt=230120191136&saletitle=&ref=hyperallergic.com) Outsider and Vernacular Art sale in New York brought in a total of $4,261,625 on January 18\. The sale’s top lot, **Henry Darger**’s “[148 At Jennie Richee During fury of storm are unsuccessfully attached \[sic\] by Glandelinians/149 At Jennie Richee narrowly escape capture but Blengins come to rescue, *double sided*](https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/drawings-watercolors/henry-darger-148-at-jennie-richee-during-6187836-details.aspx?from=salesummery&intobjectid=6187836&sid=e025081a-34b1-42e1-b1ab-9f62cb1994a2&ref=hyperallergic.com)*,*” sold for $684,500.

![A massive pair of painted enamel plaques, Qianlong Period (1736–95), 29 3/4 inches high each (image courtesy Christie's)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2019/01/plates-1460.jpg)

A massive pair of painted enamel plaques, Qianlong Period (1736–95), 29 3/4 inches high each (image courtesy Christie’s)

[**Christie’s**](https://www.christies.com/chinese-export-art-featuring-27960.aspx?lid=1&dt=230120191136&saletitle=&ref=hyperallergic.com) Chinese Export Art Featuring the Hodroff Collection, Part IV sale in New York brought in a total of $1,794,125 on January 17\. The sale’s top lot, [a massive pair of painted enamel plaques](https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot/a-massive-pair-of-painted-enamel-plaques-6187804-details.aspx?from=salesummery&intObjectID=6187804&sid=adb362fa-67d2-4179-bde9-9a35f495e9a1&ref=hyperallergic.com) from the Qianlong Period (1736–95), sold for $150,000.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2019/01/johnson-1460.jpg)

Joshua Johnson, ”Dr. Andrew Aitkin (1757-1809), Mrs. Andrew Aitkin (Elizabeth Aiken, 1761-1811) and her daughter, Eliza Aitkin (1798-1885)” (c. 1805), oil on canvas, 32 x 26 3/4 inches (image courtesy Sotheby’s)

[**Sotheby’s**](http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/2019/important-americana-n10005.html?locale=en&ref=hyperallergic.com) sale of Important Americana in New York brought in a total of $6,800,750 on January 17–20\. The sale’s top lot, **Joshua Johnson**’s “[Dr. Andrew Aitkin (1757–1809), Mrs. Andrew Aitkin (Elizabeth Aitken, 1761–1811) and her Daughter, Eliza Aitken (1798–1885)](http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2019/important-americana-n10005/lot.1521.html?ref=hyperallergic.com)” (c.1805) sold for $675,000.

![Long-Billed Curlew (1880–90), American School, 19th century, polychromed wood decoy with wax eye, height 4 3/4 inches by length 21 1/2 inches, Salem, Massachusetts area (image courtesy Sotheby's)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2019/01/curlew-1460.jpg)

Long-Billed Curlew (1880–90), American School, 19th century, polychromed wood decoy with wax eye, height 4 3/4 inches by length 21 1/2 inches, Salem, Massachusetts area (image courtesy Sotheby’s)

[**Sotheby’s**](http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/2019/the-history-of-now-teiger-americana-n10013.html?locale=en&ref=hyperallergic.com) The History of Now: The Important American Folk Art Collection of **David Tieger** / Sold to Benefit Teiger Foundation for the Support of Contemporary Art sale in New York brought in a total of $2,528,064 on January 20\. The sale’s top lot, a [Long-Billed Curlew](http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2019/the-history-of-now-teiger-americana-n10013/lot.1255.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) from the American School, 19th century, sold for $350,000.

![The Important Fairbanks Family Pilgrim Century Turned and Red-Painted Maple Spindle-Back Great Chair, Attributed to Ephraim Tinkham, Plymouth or Middleboro, Plymouth County, Massachusetts (c. 1680), height 41 3/4 inches (image courtesy Sotheby's)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2019/01/tinkham-chair-1460.jpg)

The Important Fairbanks Family Pilgrim Century Turned and Red-Painted Maple Spindle-Back Great Chair, Attributed to Ephraim Tinkham, Plymouth or Middleboro, Plymouth County, Massachusetts (c. 1680), height 41 3/4 inches (image courtesy Sotheby’s)

[**Sotheby’s**](http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/2018/collection-anne-h-frederick-vogel-iii-n10003.html?locale=en&ref=hyperallergic.com) The Collection of **Anne H. Frederick Vogel III** sale in New York brought in a total of $4,183,438 on January 19\. The sale’s top lot, [the important Fairbanks family pilgrim century turned and red-painted maple spindle-back great chair, attributed to **Ephraim Tinkham**, Plymouth or Middleboro, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, circa 1680](http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2018/collection-anne-h-frederick-vogel-iii-n10003/lot.818.html?ref=hyperallergic.com), sold for $125,000.

![A rare Chinese export crab-form tureen and cover, Qing dynasty, Qianlong Period, width 8 3/4 inches (image courtesy Sotheby's)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2019/01/crab-form-tureen-1460.jpg)

A rare Chinese export crab-form tureen and cover, Qing dynasty, Qianlong Period, width 8 3/4 inches (image courtesy Sotheby’s)

[**Sotheby’s**](http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/2019/a-collecting-legacy-property-from-nelson-happy-rockefeller-n10004.html?locale=en&ref=hyperallergic.com) A Collecting Legacy: Property from the Collection of **Nelson & Happy Rockefeller** sale in New York brought in a total of $3,30,565 on January 18\. The sale’s top lot, [a rare Chinese export crab-form tureen and cover, Qing dynasty, Qianlong Period](http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2019/a-collecting-legacy-property-from-nelson-happy-rockefeller-n10004/lot.324.html?ref=hyperallergic.com), sold for $375,000.

![A pair of large scale Swedish gilt-bronze mounted Blyberg porphyry vases, by the Elfdahls Porfyrwerk, the mounts, Paris (c. 1830), 3feet, 3 1/2 inches x 2 feet, 5 inches (image courtesy Sotheby's)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2019/01/swedish-cases-1460.jpg)

A pair of large scale Swedish gilt-bronze mounted Blyberg porphyry vases, by the Elfdahls Porfyrwerk, the mounts, Paris (c. 1830), 3feet, 3 1/2 inches x 2 feet, 5 inches (image courtesy Sotheby’s)

[**Sotheby’s**](http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/2018/royal-and-noble-l19306.html?locale=en&ref=hyperallergic.com#&page=all&sort=salePrice-desc&viewMode=list&lot=148&scroll=996) Royal & Noble sale in London brought in a total of £2,360,727 (\~$3,085,000) on January 17\. The sale’s top lot, [a pair of large scale Swedish gilt-bronze mounted Blyberg porphyry vases, by the **Elfdahls Porfyrwerk**, the mounts, Paris circa 1830](http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2018/royal-and-noble-l19306/lot.148.html?ref=hyperallergic.com), sold for £250,000 (\~$327,000).