Rembrandt portrait museum 'coup'

First Minister Rhodri Morgan said the portrait is a 'must see' attraction

A Rembrandt painting which has hung in a north Wales castle for 150 years is to go on display at the National Museum in Cardiff for the next four months.

The loan of the Portrait of Catrina Hooghsaet, one of the Dutch painter's patrons, was described as a "major coup" by First Minister Rhodri Morgan.

In 2007 there was speculation the work could be returned to the Netherlands.

It will the focus of an exhibition of etchings and paintings from the Netherlands in the museum's collection.

The Dutch Culture Ministry said it was considering buying the painting then valued at about £40m for its state collection.

The work was then on loan to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam to mark the 400th anniversary of Rembrandt's birth.

Next to having the Mona Lisa on loan, I cannot think of any better "must see" attraction that we could possibly have in the National Museum First Minister Rhodri Morgan

But the painting, which was bought to Penrhyn Castle near Bangor by the Douglas-Pennant family in the mid-19th Century, did not leave Wales.

The portrait of the wealthy Amsterdam lady, painted in 1657 is considered an example of Rembrandt's outstanding talent for painting characters, not just faces.

First Minister Rhodri Morgan said: "Having the opportunity to display the Portrait of Catrina Hooghsaet is a real coup for National Museum Cardiff.

"Rembrandt is a towering figure in the history of art.

"Next to having the Mona Lisa on loan, I cannot think of any better 'must see' attraction that we could possibly have in the National Museum.

Expressive effects

"I know that many thousands will want to visit the museum to enjoy the sight of this portrait in our National Museum in our capital city. Don't miss it!"

Oliver Fairclough, keeper of art at National Museum Cardiff, said: "There are very few privately owned paintings by Rembrandt in the UK, the Portrait of Catrina Hooghsaet one of these.

"We are grateful to the trustees of Penrhyn settled estates for allowing us to share this masterpiece, which is usually central to the displays at the castle, with our visitors and are confident it will be a popular attraction."

Examples of the painter's etchings also form part of the Rembrandt in Focus display.

These are joined by Netherlandish portraits of three other women including the museum's painting of the Welsh heiress Katheryn of Berain, attributed to Van Cronenburgh.