Rembrandt's Portrait of Jan Six, a 17th century distinguished political figure and man of the arts in Amsterdam, is an unquestioned masterpiece. Back when, perhaps in the late 1980's, I became aware of this magnificant work and learned that I could view it at the Six residence along the Amstel River by an appointment made at the information desk of the Rijks. Consequently, on at least three Amsterdam visits, I saw this painting. I would enter the Six residence and be lead to the room with this masterpience. No taking of photos but the young guide would allow me all the time I desired to study the painting. And, yes, I did run my fingers across the painting's surface on more than one occasion.
Unbeknownst to me, sometime since my January visit, the Jan Six portrait has been on loan to the Rijks where I was totally blown away on seeing it at the end of the large gallery in the Rijks' temporary annex. (The central Rijksmuseum has been under major renovation since about 2003 so the crème de la crème of the collection is publicly displayed in what I refer to as the Annex.) I did manage to quietly shoot the photo above, reflected glass ceiling image and all. What a painting!!
