Q & A with Dr. Theophana Princess of Saxony on a second Rembrandt Staalmeesters
There is a well recognized German art historian, Dr. Theophana Princess of Saxony, Berlin, who fights for the recognition of a second, similar, not yet acknowledged, “Staalmeesters,” which may even be the original one, or one of two Rembrandts. This is such an interesting issue that I flew to Amsterdam to have a look at the currently only official one which has been recognized as a Rembrandt. I was surprised when I compared the two paintings, they may be both from Rembrandt, or is the one the Princess of Saxony is representing, with the exclusive representation rights from the owner, the first one created? This is a story which needs an answer.
AMM: Tell me about your professional background and how did you manage to be drawn into the complex authenticity world of Rembrandt and the scene of Amsterdam.
Dr. Theophana Princess of Saxony: The answer is simple, it was Prof. Dr. van de Wetering, who seriously damaged my friend’s mind because he was not willing to review the present facts of the second Staalmeesters of 1661 or even to accept that my friend ‘s may be the first painted of the two Stalmeesters, should this be proven. He kicked her out and that made me deal with Rembrandt in my friend’s interest.
But back to my life. My family comes from several nationalities: I am a descendant from the aristocratic dynasty Mitchurin. My great-grandfather is a Russian nobleman, his wife was Greek, I was born in Bulgaria after WW2, my father was the finance minister of King Boris of Bulgaria until the end of WW2, and after the war the following communist government in Bulgaria took our possessions and we went to Germany starting from Zero.
I grew up in the family business – a Munich company for industrial imports and exports, special area of barter trade (at Lack of foreign exchange goods were exchanged for goods, e.g., German plants against crude oil). This activity took me around the world.
My work in the family business started the next morning after my Abitur. Until graduation with a doctoral thesis at the Munich Ludwig Maximilian University I had gone from apprentice to department head and was finally an executive board member. Not exactly the idea my often Arab partners, but I have prevailed In this respect, I feel like a pioneer of a feminine way and How to do business and occupy leading positions female and female activities to demand the my with “Fuessen” kicked girlfriend by Wetering.
I am also a pioneer of China trade – even during the Cultural revolution.
Since my law and business were too boring for me (that was waiting) I have also taken art history with me, first for my own interest, which of course helps me now.
After I spent the night unsuspectingly among the “Staalmeesters” with my girlfriend and had to take note of several serious indications, I have deepened my knowledge of this picture and the work of Rembrandt. I am convinced that the picture was created in 1661. Proof of canvas investigation has been done. Was it a draft, for the purpose of the presentation in front of the 5 Staalmeesters? The concept definitely comes from Rembrandt.
Who else, according to his concept, should take this picture and paint it during his lifetime?
It was Rembrandt who urgently needed money and hesitantly Staalmeesters certainly did him a favor, this order and each pf the men had to pay individually. May one of them wanted to have his own copy?
The students who no longer existed at that time could not have done this. Although some are known by name, which were examined. Result: no one can have done it.
The Color analysis and the tissue sample confirm the time in the signature – 1661.
In the “original” one in Amsterdam in says 1662, this signing was added about 150 years after Rembrandt’s death ”supplemented” says the text in the museum guide. This fact is probably the reason for the outburst of anger of Prof. Dr. van de Wetering, as the owner visited him and said to him that the known original picture is probably a copy of mine…”
That is why I help to use all scientific and technical means to find out the truth about the two “Staalmeesters.”
AMM: Are you the owner of the painting which looks like a second Staalmeesters. or how are you related to it?
Dr. Theophana Princess of Saxony: No, I am not the owner, but the representative commissioned by the owner with an exclusive mandate. She is a very good friend of mine.
We discovered the signature “Rembrandt L 1661” in the picture about 15 years ago. I’ve been dealing with it since then.
The picture was acquired by an old man from the Falkenhorn cloth merchant dynasty. hundreds of years ago. The house was sold to my girlfriend, with everything in it, including the picture.
AMM: Where is the painting located?
Dr. Theophana Princess of Saxony: Now the painting is in a security storage.
AMM: Why do you think that the second Staalmeesters is not recognized yet?
Dr. Theophana Princess of Saxony: The image was not confirmed in its real origin because a number of errors were made in its research and marketing attempts:
a) the owner went directly to Mr. van de Wetering in Amsterdam and greatly annoyed him with the declaration of war: “My picture is the older, so the first, the original. Her picture in the museum is the second, so a copy of mine.” De Wetering literally exploded. In his eyes, it was a cheekiness to question his museum image. He feared a scandal in the press.
There was no real analysis done, taking into account the knowledge of Rembrandt’s habits and his financial distress at that time. De Wetering showed the woman the door, literally kicked her out and threatened her: “I will destroy this picture. You will never be able to sell it.”
b) after that, a scientifically correct method was approached, such as determining the age of the material – canvas and paints – by the carbon method, which confirmed the clear ancestry from the lifetime of Rembrandt. Age determination has been made using a visual method – comparison of fibers from the 17th century and the fibers of the image. This method confirms the age of the image from the 17th century, but is not the preferred method in Amsterdam.
The 3-4 positive reports from art history professors are based on the examination and knowledge of the professors. The color analysis of the German Bundesamt fuer Materialpruefung (BAM) confirms the use of these color recipes in the 17th century, but says that even in the 19th century these recipes were used. This unsettles interested parties.
Nowadays, an XRF method would be possible, but it requires transportation to a large, non-portable device.
AMM: Do you have any by Amsterdam accredited expert opinion or any other opinion?
Dr. Theophana Princess of Saxony: No, we do not have an opinion of an expert recognized by Amsterdam – that’s where de Wetering stands in the way even after his death. We have several expert opinions and a whole book that certify the assumed authenticity.
AMM: Has this Staalmeesters been made known to Professor Van De Wetering and what was the result?
Dr. Theophana Princess of Saxony: See point 3a.
AMM: Why didn’t the 2nd Staalmeesters go through a scientific research program yet?
Dr. Theophana Princess of Saxony: The owner is a non-specialist. She first asked the circle of friends, personally known professors for an expert opinion and received it. For them, that’s enough. She sees no reason to continue testing. And, by the way, she has “the nose full” of eternal discussions with various mediators. She doesn’t want to deal with it anymore. That’s why she commissioned me.
AMM: Why hasn’t the painting physically be shown to the Rembrandthuis chief curators?
Dr. Theophana Princess of Saxony: See 3a. de Wetering, Amsterdam has agreed that an old woman imagines something, one should ignore it. Amsterdam has no interest in promoting competition for their gem in the museum.
AMM: How many years has this Staalmeesters been associated with the owners of the private home?
Dr. Theophana Princess of Saxony: The picture has a single previous owner: the Falkenhorn family. Until 1800 it can be proven that the picture was in the family. It must have been damaged in the lower and upper parts around 1800 because it had hung over a fireplace. It was restored about 1800. Thank God, the restoration was only done up to the faces of the persons.
AMM: Has the painting ever been shown in an exhibition?
Dr. Theophana Princess of Saxony: No, the picture was never in an exhibition, auction or similar. It has been on the wall in the living room since 1910, where I stayed when I was visiting. although it was longer at the owning family of the house.
During the day we had coffee and cake. I even said, “Get this copy away. Everyone knows where the real picture is – in Amsterdam.”
My conviction of authenticity came later – after all this research.
AMM: Have you or the owners tried to sell the painting as is for 150 million as it has been sent around in the world?
Dr. Theophana Princess of Saxony: Yes, the owner has been approached by several people over the years, but unfortunately they were not professionals: there are various intermediaries, car sellers, real estate agents, masseurs, doctors, trying to sell it with zero knowledge of art and especially Rembrandt they tried to offer the picture all around – without permission – also on the Internet.
These dreamers saw themselves overnight as millionaires and throw around with fantastic prizes, e.g. 150 million. They have harmed the picture, I have explained that to the owner.
AMM: What is your plan with this impressive work, but not to Rembrandt’s assigned oeuvre?
Dr. Theophana Princess of Saxony: I would like to hire accredited experts in authenticity issues who will have the necessary investigations carried out. With the results we would have final certainty about the origin.
AMM: Is it true that you would spend your private funds to explore the authenticity of the 2nd Staalmeesters. If yes, why are you doing this?
Dr. Theophana Princess of Saxony: Yes, it is true that I would also use my own means to prove authenticity. I believe in authenticity. Rembrandt may have made this first image as a design and then got the order from the 5 syndices. I think they wanted to give Rembrandt an extra income to do him a favor. They probably paid 100 guilders each. Perhaps, my guess, that one of them ordered his own copy.
CREDIT: Dr. Theophana Princess of Saxony
Dr. Theophana Princess of Saxony Duchess of Saxony, resident in Berlin, Germany.
Descendent from the Russian aristocratic dynasty Mitchurin. Greek grandmother. Born in Bulgaria after World War Two. My family relocated to Germany.
Education: German Abitur, studies of economics, law, languages, art history at the University of Munich.
Internationally active as an executive board member in the barter business of my family.
Further business activity in the hotel management of the family-owned hotels.
Marriage: Married to Prince of Saxony, four children.
Hobbies: My hobby is the culinary history of the Royal kitchens.
Charities: Charitarian in the field of medical needs for 40 years.
