Museums abroad: Rembrandt’s painting from Kenwood House displayed in New York

Kenwood House, the London museum that holds the art collection known as the Iveagh Bequest, is closing for renovations. By special arrangement, Rembrandt's “Portrait of the Artist” (ca. 1663–65), which has never before traveled outside Europe, is now on view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

This outstanding canvas is hanging near the Metropolitan's own self-portrait by Rembrandt of 1660, providing a rare opportunity to compare the two works which, although close in date, are utterly different in scale, format, and expression.

The loan is also an occasion for the Metropolitan Museum to bring together in one gallery the late Rembrandts from the permanent collection.