When it was rediscovered in 2019, Gary Schwartz and Christian Vogelaar attributed the painting to Rembrandt and his workshop, pending further investigation.
 Since 2023, it has been recognized as an autograph work by Rembrandt van Rijn based on comprehensive documentary evidence, stylistic assessment, and scientific analysis. Prof. Dr. Volker Manuth, Gary Schwartz, and Ger Luijten endorse this attribution, which is further substantiated by Ernst van de Wetering’s authoritative writings.

(As is frequently the case with works from Rembrandt’s later Leiden period onward, the possibility of minor workshop participation cannot be totally excluded.)

The Baptism of the Eunuch by Rembrandt, ca. 1630, is exceptionally well-documented compared to many other paintings of his œuvre.

How did key insights provided by Ernst van de Wetering lead to the rediscovery of a lost painting?

Ernst van de Wetering outlines the criteria for rediscovering Rembrandt’s lost Baptism of the Eunuch (1630), emphasizing its direct relationship and resemblance to The Head of the Old Man in a Cap alongside Saint Philip, as well as motifs reproduced in J.G. van Vliet’s engraving: “Sometimes traces of such paintings remain, for example in written descriptions from the past, or in copies or reproduction prints” […] “There is probably another trace of the same painting: a rapidly painted head, done in broad strokes, of an old man bending forward. […] an oil sketch for the head of the apostle Philip who is baptizing the rich Moorish courtier whom he was converted to Christianity.” (A Life in 180 Paintings, p. 46, “Missing paintings”, Local World BV, 2008).

Ernst van de Wetering, A Life in 180 Paintings, Local World BV, 2008. p. 46, a page dedicated to the Baptism of the Eunuch ca.1630 by Rembrandt.

According to Ernst van de Wetering, Rembrandt’s painting style evolved not only across different periods but also within the same period, often exhibiting radical variations. During Rembrandt’s early period, his style was frequently more “rough” than “fine,” as exemplified in The Head of the Old Man in a Cap. Van de Wetering successfully persuaded the Rembrandt Research Project team of this observation. He references J. Bruyn: “We now agree that his conception, backed with impressive argumentation sourced from contemporary texts from Rhetoric, is an argument that makes the range of styles within the same period entirely acceptable.” (What is a Rembrandt? Ernst van de Wetering, Rembrandt Paintings Revisited: A Complete Survey, Corpus of Rembrandt Paintings VI, p. 52).

Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem, Rembrandt van Rijn, 1630, oil on panel, 58.3 × 46.6 cm, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.
Head of the Old Man in a Cap c. 1630 (head size 14 x 8 cm)

Head of an Old Man in a Cap (c. 1630) and the head of Saint Philip in the present painting exhibit the same painterly touch, further confirmed by Van Vliet’s faithful etched detail.

According to van de Wetering, in Corpus IV, The Self-Portraits, Dordrecht, Springer, p. 628: Philip appears to have been painted from the same model used for Head of an Old Man in a Cap, dating from the same period. Ernst van de Wetering even captions the Head of an Old Man as a study for the lost Baptism of the Eunuch. He suggests, “It is most likely that the present painting (the Old Man in a Cap c. 1630) served as an oil sketch for the Baptism of the Eunuch, a composition reproduced in a print by Van Vliet in 1631.”
The resemblance extends beyond the model’s outward appearance, encompassing the facial structure and the techniques employed by the artist to render it. Gary Schwartz, A Rembrandt Invention: a new Baptism of the Eunuch, 2020, p. 55.

Detail of Head of the Old Man in a Cap c. 1630 (head size 14 cm x 8 cm) Oil on panel, 24.3 × 20.3 cm, Kingston, Ontario, Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Queen’s University, 2003 (46-031).
Detail of Philip’s head of the present painting ca. 1630 (head size 9 cm x 5 cm).
Detail of Vliet’s print detail 1631.

“We think this is an oil sketch for the head of the apostle Philip who is baptizing the rich Moorish courtier whom he was converted to Christianity. The print was produced – without doubt commissioned by Rembrandt himself – by the graphic artist Jan G. van Vliet. It would certainly have contributed to Rembrandt’s fame.”
E. v. d. Wetering, Rembrandt, A Life in 180 Paintings, p. 46 Local World BV, 2008.

For the first time, Rembrandt chose the engraver J. G. van Vliet to execute a printed reproduction of one of his favourite compositions, The Baptism of the Eunuch, as confirmed by the inscription at the bottom of the plate.

Detail of the inscription on Vliet’s etching stating Rembrandt as the inventor: “RH v.Rijn inv. JG.v. Vliet fec.1631”.

“Van Vliet’s indication on the print after Oil study of an old man in a cap, c. 1630, that Rembrandt was the ‘inventor’ of the image concerned, should in my view be accepted as sound evidence that this painting (and the other paintings copied by Van Vliet) must have been from Rembrandt’s hand.”

Ernst van de Wetering, Corpus VI , Chapter I, What is a Rembrandt ? A personal account, p. 41

There are two contemporaneous print copies of the painting in different formats, both bearing the inscription “Rembrandt invent”: J.G. van Vliet’s engraving from 1631 and C. J. Visscher’s engraving from 1631-1641.

Johannes Gillis van Vliet after Rembrandt, The baptism of the eunuch, inscribed RH v.Rijn inv. JG.v. Vliet fec. 1631, Etching and engraving on paper, 59.2 x 49.1 cm, Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum, RP-P-OB-33.389.
Visscher's Baptism of the Eunuch
Claes Jansz Visscher after Rembrandt, The baptism of the eunuch, 1631-1641, inscribed Rembrandt invent. and CIVißcher Excudebat. Engraving, 37.9 × 51.5 cm Rotterdam, Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, L 2014/1 b 109 (PK).

The existence of two copies in differing formats, each bearing the inscription “invented by Rembrandt,” initially raises questions about the original composition.

The evident anomalies in J. G. Van Vliet’s print, together with a comparative analysis of the etchings, an intermediate drawing, and a related engraving by Rembrandt, support the conclusive determination that the original composition was conceived in a horizontal format — and that this painting served as its model.

Gary Schwartz, in analyzing the reproduction prints by Vliet and Visscher, notes that “their compositions too are cut off at just the same point […] because both prints were copied after this particular painting.” He further contends that “the model for the prints was not a hypothetical lost original by Rembrandt, but the existing painting here presented” (A Rembrandt Invention: A New Baptism of the Eunuch, 2020, p. 67).

Visscher’s reproduction print: similarities, differences and clumsiness.

The Baptism of the Eunuch, Rembrandt ca.1630.
C. J. Visscher’s engraving after Rembrandt’s Baptism of the Eunuch 1631-1641.

The format and the interplay of gazes are comparable to those in the painting, and the figures recall those in Van Vliet’s version. The principal difference between this painting and Visscher’s copy lies in the markedly different depiction of the baptismal act, with Philip raising his left index finger in the print. This gesture, in which Philip appears to administer the baptism himself, may evoke The Baptism of the Eunuch by Abraham Bloemaert (1620–1625).

Visscher arranged his scenario to achieve a meaningful double page version by sacrificing the transitional landscape we find in the painting. However, it produced disproportionate figures, while the present painting demonstrates accurate and harmonious proportions.

Unlike Vliet’s print, and arranged as in the present painting, the figures in the eunuch’s entourage are all focused on protecting the eunuch, looking either at the baptism or at the viewer, except for the commanding horseman gazing into the void.

Vliet’s reproduction print.

The Baptism of the Eunuch, Rembrandt ca.1630.
Johannes Gillis van Vliet after Rembrandt, The baptism of the eunuch, inscribed RH v.Rijn inv. JG.v. Vliet fec. 1631, Etching and engraving on paper, 59.2 x 49.1 cm, Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum, RP-P-OB-33.389.

As expected, J.G. van Vliet is predominantly faithful to Rembrandt’s models.

Philip and the Eunuch and the entourage in the present painting, and in Van Vliet’s print.

Gary Schwartz cites in his book “The essential factor here is the sum total of the motifs, and not the way they are set out in the composition.” J. Bruyn, op. cit. (note 32), p. 53. See also Schuckman, Royalton-Kisch and Hinterding, op. cit. (note 28), p. 45.

“[…] The arguments for regarding the present painting as van Vliet’s model are not to be denied.” Gary Schwartz, A Rembrandt Invention: a new baptism of the eunuch, 2020, p. 69.

A closer examination of Van Vliet’s work reveals anomalies inheritated from the crude change of composition.

The gazes of the entourage.

The gazes of the entourage are disconnected from the main scene, which is unusual in Rembrandt’s overall œuvre. They cannot fulfill their duty of protection of the dignitary Ethiopian.

Detail of the entourage in the Baptism of the Eunuch by Van Vliet, 1631.

Five of the six figures surrounding the eunuch exhibit a pronounced strabismus.

Detail of the entourage in the Baptism of the Eunuch by Van Vliet, 1631.

Looking closely at the faces of the entourage, we notice that Vliet struggled to reorganise the gazes of the characters by reorienting the eyes directions.

None of the characters seems concerned by the sacred act that is taking place before their eyes. Only the animals are in alert but looking toward the foliage rather than the scene.

According to Gary Schwartz in A Rembrandt invention: a new Baptism of the eunuch, 2020, “the auxiliary figures are all looking in the wrong direction. The gazes of the rider and the rest of the entourage make perfect sense in the horizontal painting and perfect nonsense in van Vliet’s vertical print.”

All the painted copies in vertical composition exhibit the same anomalies, sometimes even worse, clearly proving that they are copies of Van Vliet’s engraving and not of the 1630 painting (see below in “copies of Vliet’s engraving after Rembrandt”).

A troublesome iconography detail.

A troubling iconographic detail: the genitals of the horse on Saint Philip’s head.

This anomaly is another strong indication of the unfortunate side effect caused by the abrupt change in format.

Detail of Saint Philip’s head and the horse’s genitals in the Baptism of the Eunuch by Van Vliet, 1631.

The anomalies found in Vliet’s engraving indicate a change in format which requiered adaptations that Vliet could not resolve on his own.

 The discovery of a Rembrandt drawing revealed their link and a deliberate change in format.

Rembrandt, The baptism of the eunuch, ca. 1630, black chalk on paper, 19.2 × 21.1 cm, Munich, Graphische Sammlung, 1453.

Rembrandt probably made this drawing to explain to Van Vliet how he could adjust the format.

The faces of the eunuch’s entourage are only roughly sketched. The facial expressions remain indistinct. This absence of head’s expression can explain the anomalies in Van Vliet’s work, as he didn’t have the proper material to align the heads of the figures surrounding the eunuch toward the main scene.

At the time, Rembrandt and Vliet were in Leiden, and Rembrandt likely produced the drawing quickly to guide Vliet in reformatting it. By 1631, however, Rembrandt’s frequent travels between Leiden and Amsterdam likely hindered his supervision, leading to inconsistencies in the engraving. Vliet repositioned the eunuch’s entourage above Philip and the eunuch, replicating their poses but failing to incline their gazes toward the central scene—a departure from Rembrandt’s typical vertical compositions. His clumsy attempt to recenter the gazes resulted in pronounced strabismus and inappropriate juxtaposition of the horse’s genitals with Saint Philip’s head—something Rembrandt would never have done for his own work.

The Baptism of the Eunuch, Rembrandt ca.1630.
Rembrandt, the Baptism of the Eunuch, ca. 1630, black chalk on paper, 19.2 × 21.1 cm, Munich, Graphische Sammlung, 1453.
J.G. van Vliet’s engraving of the Baptism of the Eunuch, 1631.

According to Otto Benesch, Wolfgang Wegner, Thea Vignau-Wilberg, Christian Tümpel, Marian Bisanz, Martin Royalton-Kisch, Gary Schwartz, and Odilia Bonebakker, the Munich Baptism of the Eunuch drawing is believed to belong to Rembrandt’s early period and was not created in preparation for the etching by Rembrandt in 1641. The article written by Odilia Bonebakker on Rembrandt’s drawing in Munich (2003) presents concordant arguments “to suggest that the drawing was made around the same time as the lost painting of 1629/30.”

Prof. Dr Odilia Bonebakker, Rembrandt’s drawing of The Baptism of the Eunuch in Munich: Style and Iconography p.39. Rembrandt and his followers, drawings from Munich, Thea Vignau-Wilberg (2003).

From Rembrandt’s original horizontal painting to Vliet’s vertical etching:

Gary Schwartz, Volker Manuth, and Fernando García-García (a specialist in drawing) identify Rembrandt’s Munich drawing as a preparatory work based on the present painting, “serving as the model for the vertical composition in Van Vliet’s reproduction print” (Gary Schwartz, A Rembrandt Invention: A New Baptism of the Eunuch, 2020, p. 32).

Rembrandt’s drawing of The Baptism of the Eunuch (Munich) served as a basis for the composition of Van Vliet’s vertical etching, preserving its narrative and stylistic elements.

A remarkable continuity: Rembrandt’s 1630 painting in the tradition of baptism of the eunuch representations since the 3rd century AD.

The painting The Baptism of the Eunuch from circa 1630 belongs to an ancient pictorial tradition. This tradition includes manuscripts, frescoes, and reliefs of sarcophagi, which present the essential elements of the theme: Philip, the eunuch, a scroll text, a horse-drawn wagon (sometimes) with one horse facing the viewer, a page and a dog.

Philip, the deacon meeting the Ethiopian eunuch, 200-399, Museo Pio Cristiano, Musei Vaticani, System Number: 171735, citation: Wilpert, J., Sarcofagi cristiani antichi, I (1929), p. 27; pl. XXI.
Menologium (or calendar) of Basil II, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Shelfmark Vat. Gr. 1613.

Philip and the eunuch sit in a chariot drawn by four horses, while on the right, the deacon stands at an altar in a ciborium.

The Baptism of the Eunuch, Rembrandt ca. 1630 (reverse).
Menologium (or calendar) of Basil II, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Shelfmark Vat. Gr. 1613.
Following the pictorial tradition, Rembrandt reproduced the chariot, the horses, and the gaze of the white horse orientated towards the viewer, reversing the details of the present painting.

Fidelity to pictorial tradition and enduring iconography defines the master’s approach and elevates his creative power.

Rembrandt’s distinctive vision in reimagining the baptism beyond his predecessors.

The Baptism of the Eunuch by Rembrandt ca. 1630. Detail of the head of the eunuch.

According to the baptism of the Ethiopian Eunuch from the New Testament (Acts 8:26-39), the Eunuch’s receives the Holy Spirit light. Rembrandt subtly introduced a focal point (1.5 cm illuminated circle) that distinguishes him from his predecessors in interpreting.

A discreet and enigmatic miracle, performed by a divine ray of light. This tiny halo appears as a “visual exegesis,” symbolizing God’s presence and embodying the allegorical significance of a spiritual light that purifies the soul without altering the color of the skin.

“Most of all, the painting expresses dignity, the dignity and self-possessedness of all the figures, engaged in a mysterious rite of solemn portent.”  Gary Schwartz, A Rembrandt Invention: a new baptism of the eunuch, 2020, p. 75.

Detail of the Eunuch in the Baptism of the Eunuch by Rembrandt ca. 1630.

Depicting the baptism performed solely under divine light signifies a purposeful departure from both traditional and contemporary interpretations.

Continuity in retelling the same narrative a decade later.

The mirrored composition, key figures, and recurring details are elements of invention that could only have been conceived by Rembrandt.

The Baptism of the Eunuch, Rembrandt ca.1630.
Rembrandt, The Baptism of the Eunuch, inscribed: Rembrandt. f, 1641. Etching on paper, 17.8 x 21.3 cm. Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum, RP-P-1987-185 (2).

Rembrandt reproduces his artistic qualities, even graphic imperfections, from his swift and inspired process.

Philip’s hand and arm.

Philip’s arthritic hand is rendered identically.

Philip’s hand in the Baptism of the Eunuch painting of 1630 and in the etching of 1641.
Details of Philip’s arm from the present painting and in the 1641 etching and a detail of Christ Appearing to Magdalena at the Tomb, 1638, Royal collection of United Kingdom.

Ten years later, his St. Philip foreshortening of the arm in 1641 is still awkward, but Rembrandt softened it with the interruption of the cloak, which allows the arm to appear more naturally integrated with the shoulder. Let’s note that there are other arms forshortenings in Rembrandt’s œuvre such as Jesus in Christ Appearing to Magdalena at the Tomb, 1638.

The most known painting with an inaccurate arm foreshortening.

Detail highlighting the inaccurate foreshortening of the right arm. The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, Rembrandt, 1632, Mauritshuis, The Hague

Soft evolution of the Ethiopian Eunuch gesture.

Detail of the Eunuch in the present painting 1630 and the etching of 1641.

It’s as if the 1641 engraving, executed ten years later was a new sequence, seconds later, with a tilted angle. The hands clasped on the chest and raised to the sky.

Presence of the same ornaments.

In the engraving, the page holds the turban with a more ornate aigrette and pointing upward.

Ten years after, the lack of attention given to the page’s hand which could have been wrongly interprated in the painting, is surprisingly worse.

Just like in the painting, behind the page, the dog with the collar observes and seems ready to bark.

Details of the page and the dog in the Baptism of the Eunuch painting of 1630 and in the etching of 1641.
Detail of the page in the Baptism of the Eunuch by Rembrandt ca. 1630.

The great significance of replicating minute details of the painting: the tiny characters.

Detail of the tiny characters in the background in the Baptism of the Eunuch, Rembrandt 1630 and in the etching of 1641.

The small figures might not only animate a biblical landscape. They could also represent Saint Philip, the exegete, seated before the angel, instructing him to help the eunuch to interpret the text and to convert him. The recurring postures of these figures across both works might remind Heemskerk’s scene in his two pages engraving on the theme.

When he sold the painting in 1641, Rembrandt created an etching of the scene, preserving its narrative elements and meticulous details.

Typical of Rembrandt brushwork.

Detail of the Laughing Man by Rembrandt, 1629-1630 and detail of the horseman from the present painting 1630.

The morelian details of the mouth, open to show the teeth, used on the horseman of the present painting, is a common feature in Rembrandt’s work.

Ernst van de Wetering in corpus vol. 6: “Rembrandt often mixed painting and drawing with the brush in variable ways. This feature is also present in this painting. […]”

Detail of white of the in the present painting.
Details of the present painting, the thick impasto of the vegetables of the front and the very light, nearly drawn horse strap.

The order of working from back to front with the typical synchronic treatment: Rembrandt’s brushwork can vary in the degree of its precision or casualness […]. Layering paint from back to front is typical of Rembrandt’s artwork.”

The reserve around the head of the eunuch in the present painting is a common feature in Rembrandt’s work. Rembrandt strategically uses reserved areas to suggest light, atmosphere, and spatial openness. Through houding, he sharpens details in key passages (like the eunuch’s hair curls) while softening others (such as the unpainted space), guiding the viewer’s gaze and enhancing spatial.

detail of the reserve around the head of the Eunuch in the present painting.
Detail of characters in the back from the present painting and from The Ass of the Prophet Balaam, Rembrandt 1626, Musée Cognacq-Jay.

The Characters in the back and/or in the dark are often found in Rembrandt scenes. They are painted with an incredible economy of means, yet they are particularly expressive.

Despite being an early work, the painting already demonstrates Rembrandt’s distinctive brush techniques, some of which would later become his signature strokes.

Physical properties: the painting is in good and stable condition.

The three boards of baltic wood that make up the panel have undergone the effects of time.

The panel has been trimed on all borders at different points in time, however the senestre side’s crude cut is notable. The back of the panel has been thinned to prevent from worm damage.

Details of the clean dextre border, details of the rough senetre border.

Minor variations in texture observed in certain areas, which may affect the perception of Rembrandt’s hand, are the result of successive restoration campaigns, particularly along the panel joins.

In his report (July 22, 2022, Paris) on the present painting, M. van de Laar (former Rijksmuseum painting conservator) states “The condition of this painting is stable and very good.” Following the advice of Michiel Franken from the Netherlands Institute for Art History (RKD), the restoration was carried out by Regina Costa Pinto (former restorer at the Louvre) under the supervision of Ger Luijten and Fernando García-Garcia.
Michel van de Laar notes: “the damages, fillings and abrasion along and around the original two gluing joints and the two prominent cracks are concurrent for a 17th century painting with this construction. Study of the painting under UV reflection light, with the LED torch, a loupe and with the naked eye shows that the retouches of the last restoration were carried out skillfully, carefully and with the finest precision.”

The imperfections along specific panel joint lines are unmistakable evidence of the restorers’ interventions and cannot be attributed to hypothetical workshop involvement.

Scientific research:

These analyses confirm the painting’s authenticity, with materials and techniques consistent with Rembrandt’s known works from the period. Further examination reveals no significant alterations or overpainting, supporting its original integrity.

The dendrochronology carried out by Prof. Dr. Peter Klein leads to a probable date of 1631. Although Rembrandt coul have used a seccativ treatment to dry up the first paint layer (the underneath nature morte), it can seem a little short for a creation date in late 1631, but as Ilona van Tuinen, Head of the Rijksmuseum Print Room states, dendrochronology is known to have variable results from one expert to another. Futhermore, the dating task becomes even more imprecise when the panels are cropped and/or thinned, as is the case with the present painting. In conclusion, the period 1630–1631 provides a highly satisfactory timeframe, given the inherent limitations of this field.

Infrared reflectography, digital radiography, contrasted reflectography head side up and inversed.

The Reflectography & X-ray, UV fluorescence photography, and Infrared reflectography directed by Art in Lab on the 27. 10. 2022, show an older image, upside down, which was typical of Rembrandt’s practice: Ernst van de Wetering comments*: “Rembrandt made some thirty paintings on top of other paintings. […] is an argument in favour of an attribution”. These studies also showed some reworked details such as the covered Eunuch garment at the knee level, as well as some covered foliage that indicate a cut on the dextre side of the painting.

*A corpus of Rembrandt paintings, vol. VI, Rembrandt’s paintings revisited: A complete survey,  (Notes to the plates), Dordrecht (Springer) 2017, p. 503, nr. 45, Oil study of an old man, c.1630, Copenhagen, Statens Museum for Kunst.

Multispectral and reflectography analysis conducted by Lumière Technologie, also showed the remaining portions of foliage that Rembrandt subsequently covered over to rebalance the composition and erase nonsensical foliage due to the cut on the dextre side.

We can also notice de covering of the Eunuch’s garment portion in front of the knee, which is still visible in Vliet and Visscher’s prints.

Upper left detail of the pentimenti (branches) and underpaints (foliage on the edge) in the present painting in false colors, inversed low angle false colors, and multispectral in negative value showing the covering over of the Eunuch’s garment at right knee level.
Macro photographies of samples of the pictural layer (lower images) and under ultra violet light (upper images).

“All the samples examined contain pigments already known or used in the 17th century. Large aggregates of lead white, the use of calcium carbonate as a filler, etc, were quite common at this time. The graph of the trace elements also agrees with that of the Dutch paintings.”
Dr. Hermann Khun, study of the pigments (from extracted fragments) and stratigraphy by stereo binocular, microscope by macro photography, U.V. in Mme Brans’ workshop February 5th 1985.

All the samples show a total compatibility with the painting material that Rembrandt could have used at this point in time.

Provenance and traceability.

The first probable record of the painting being purchased directly from Rembrandt dates to 1641, when François Langlois, commissioned by his friend Claude Vignon (see letter), acquired it, with Vignon subsequently producing a painted copy.

Documented presence of the painting in France circa 1641.

Around November 1641, Claude Vignon, French painter, member of the Académie Royale, probably acquired the painting from the art dealer François Langlois after his visit to Rembrandt.

“according to P. Mariette, that Langlois went to Holland, where he bought paintings, prints and drawings for Charles I, King of England, who often gave him commissions for his collection”
Page 445 of the “Lettere su la pittura, scultura ed architettura”
“and in Amsterdam my greetings too to Mr. Rembrandt and bring something from him”. Page 446 of the “Lettere su la pittura, scultura ed architettura”
Anthony Van Dyck, Detail of Portrait of François Langlois, called Chartres, probably early 1630s, oil on canvas, 97.8 x 80 cm. Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham.

There is a faithful painted copy probably made by Vignon himself around 1641, which attests to its presence in France during this period.

The striking resemblance between the fragment painted by Vignon and Rembrandt’s Baptism of the Eunuch (ca. 1630), as noted by Claude Vignon specialist Dr. Paola Pacht Bassani, establishes several points:

It confirms a direct connection with Rembrandt’s work, which Vignon’s close friend F. Langlois.

Reportedly brought back from Amsterdam, as detailed in Vignon’s mission letter. Langlois was well aware of Vignon’s deep interest in this theme, as Vignon had painted it in 1638 for the “Mays” of Notre Dame. June 27, 1638, Vignon named his son Philippe and Langlois became his godfather, underscoring the theme’s personal significance. This likely influenced Langlois’s decision to choose this work specifically for Vignon.

Vignon tended to produce his own copies of certain paintings he acquired before reselling them. His reproductions in such cases were often executed with speed, focusing on the central fragment—Philip baptizing the eunuch.

The Baptism of the Eunuch, Rembrandt ca.1630.
Copy of a portion of Rembrandt’s 1630 Baptism of the Eunuch by Claude Vignon, 1641.

Paola Pacht Bassani, ‘Claude Vignon’ (1593-1670), Arthena, 1993, ‘Vignon et compagnie’ p.65, mentions F. Langlois’ travel to the Netherlands with a visit to Rembrandt (Vignon’s letter of mission to Langlois, November 1641). It’s interesting to note that Langlois was also selling paintings, drawings, and engravings to the Charles I collection, because after the king’s death and the dispersal of the collection, the painting is presented (and sold) in Amsterdam, on April 6. 1695, as Catalogus Schilderyen mentions (lot 48), then sold again in London with the works of the masters of King Charles the First collection (reconstituted by Charles II), on June 9. 1798, as Christie’s catalogue mentions (lot 66).

A testimonial painting: evidence supporting Claude Vignon’s acquisition and direct copy of Rembrandt’s Baptism of the Eunuch, ca. 1630.

The Baptism of the Eunuch in London in 1798 and again in 1973.

Christie’s catalogue, London, June 9. 1798, Philip Baptising the Eunuch by Rembrandt.
Saint Philip Baptising the Eunuch by Rembrandt is listed in the Christie’s catalogue of the sales made on Friday, October 26, 1973, sold by “A. Stein” and purchased by “James” lot. 86.

Christie’s sales catalogue with auctioneers’ handwriting showing the exact dimensions of the painting with the same lot 86 and Christie’s code 642VR printed on the former cradle of the present painting (it is now in a small transparent pocket inserted in the current frame) and the seller’s name: Adolf Stein.

The supposedly lost painting has, in fact, been sold under its rightful attribution on at least three occasions.

Copies of the Baptism of the Eunuch, Rembrandt ca.1630.

Rembrandt’s workshop copies of the painting:

Two of the painted copies of the original artwork (found in the RKD archives) show the painting before it was cut off, in its original proportions.

Rembrandt workshop copy (RKD archives).
Rembrandt workshop copy (RKD archives).

The workshop copies show the stylistic nuances that differentiate the master from his students.

Two of the painted copies of Van Vliet’s engraving after Rembrandt.

It is interesting to note that all the reproductions after Rembrandt, deriving from Vliet’s print exhibit the same iconographical errors, or worse, probably attemting to solve the eyes directions inconsistency made by the engraver during the change of composition from the horizontal modello (the present painting) by Rembrandt.

A reversed painted copy of the etching by Vliet after Rembrandt 1631.
The baptism of the Eunuch, Etching on paper, 58.0 x 48.7 cm, Rotterdam Museum, anony-mous after Vliet, after anonymous copy.

These copies of Vliet’s engraving after Rembrandt’s painting suffer from the same lacunae found in the original copy of the engraver.

Taken together, the various arguments, diverse in nature, form a mutually reinforcing and coherent web, all converging on the conclusion that this is a highly compelling work by Rembrandt.

The painting already exhibited.

2019 Leiden: Museum of Lakenhal

Museum De Lakenhal, Leiden: Young Rembrandt-Rising Star, 2019
Catalogue: Young Rembrandt-Rising Star, Leiden, The Baptism of The Eunuch [cat 53], written by Christiaan Vogelaar. p. 146.

2020 Basel: Kunstmuseum

Kunstmuseum, Basel: Rembrandt’s Orient, 2020

Virtual tour– Room 6

Catalogue: Rembrandt’s Orient, Kunstmuseum, Basel, The Landscape of the Bible: Early Rembrandt and His Influences, The Baptism of The Eunuch, written by Gary Schwartz, [Cat. 62], p. 216.

2021 Potsdam: Museum Barberini

Museum Barberini, Potsdam: Rembrandt’s Orient, 2021

Virtual tour – Look for Room 1A3 and click on the painting to zoom in the artwork

Catalogue: Rembrandt’s Orient, Museum Barberini, Potsdam,The Landscape of the Bible: Early Rembrandt and His Influences, The Baptism of The Eunuch, written by Gary Schwartz [Cat. 62], p. 216.

Even before the latest decisive findings for its attribution to Rembrandt van Rijn, the painting was already included in several exhibitions.

Literature

  • 2017-2019: Ernst van de Wetering, regarding the attribution of the painting, circa 1630, to Rembrandt, recommended referring to his writings as follows:
    • 2005, Ernst van de Wetering, Corpus of Rembrandt Paintings, vol. IV: The Self-Portraits. Dordrecht: Springer, 2005. p. 628: The Head of an Old Man in a Cap, c.1630 (A. Etherington Art Centre, Queen’s University), identified as the model for St. Philip’s head.
    • 2008, Ernst van de Wetering, A Life in 180 Paintings, Missing Paintings, Local World BV, 2008, p. 46.
    • 2017, Ernst van de Wetering, What is a Rembrandt? Rembrandt Paintings Revisited: A Complete Survey, Corpus of Rembrandt Paintings VI, Springer, 2017: p. 41. (Notes to the plates) p. 503, nr. 45. p. 52.
  • 2020, Gary Schwartz publishes A Rembrandt Invention: A New Baptism of the Eunuch (Primavera Press, Leiden), an authoritative and groundbreaking study on the subject. (Elmer Kolfin’s 2021 review, lacking firsthand examination and marked by misquotations and misinterpretations, adds no meaningful value.)
  • 2023, Volker Manuth report: The rediscovery of The Baptism of the Eunuch, ca. 1630, by Rembrandt, Summary and conclusion.
  • 2023, Gary Schwartz Report: in which, the art historian attributes The Baptism of the Eunuch, ca. 1630 to Rembrandt.
  • 2025, An interactive knowledge bank, the Art Model System dedicated to The Baptism of the Eunuch by Rembrandt, ca. 1630 is available upon request.
Detail of the horseman in the Baptism of the Eunuch by Rembrandt ca. 1630.

Acknowledgements

This research benefited from the contributions of many individuals. Gratitude is extended to Ernst van de Wetering, Gary Schwartz, Volker Manuth, Ger Luijten, Christiaan Vogelaar, Odilia Magdalena Bonebakker, Michiel Franken, Fernando García-García, Michel van de Laar, and Regina Costa Pinto for sharing their notes, sources, and expertise, which greatly informed this work. Thanks are also due to the Fondation Custodia, Paris, where The Baptism of the Eunuch was kept, with particular appreciation for Ger Luijten, the former director. Photographies of “The Baptism of the Eunuch” used in this research was provided by Gilles Alonzo and Doro Keman.