A painting in a private UK collection, long considered a workshop copy of Rembrandt's 'Old Man with a Gold Chain' at the Art Institute of Chicago, has been newly attributed to Rembrandt himself by scholar Gary Schwartz. Schwartz argues the quality and lack of corrections suggest Rembrandt, not a pupil, created the canvas replica while the original process was still fresh.
The reattribution challenges a century-old consensus and highlights the ongoing scholarly debate over Rembrandt's workshop practices and authentication. While the Art Institute maintains its copy stance based on technical analysis, the dispute underscores how evolving research and connoisseurship continue to reshape the understanding of Old Master paintings and their production for the competitive art market.