Welsh Government | Rembrandt masterpiece a “real coup” for National Museum Cardiff

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Rembrandt masterpiece a “real coup” for National Museum Cardiff

First Minister Rhodri Morgan has described the loan of the Rembrandt painting, Portrait of Catrina Hooghsaet, as a “real coup” to the National Museum Cardiff.

Wednesday 04 November 2009

First Minister with Rembrandt's Portrait of Catrina Hooghsaet

From Wednesday 4th November 2009, a special loan of Rembrandt van Rijn’s (1606-1669) Portrait of Catrina Hooghsaet from Penrhyn Castle will be on show at National Museum Cardiff alongside original etchings and Netherlandish portraits from Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales’s own collection.

Museum visitors will be given the opportunity to enjoy the Portrait of Catrina Hooghsaet (1607-1685) for free until 21 March 2010, when it will return to Penrhyn Castle near Bangor – its home since the 1860s.

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. 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 the National Museum Cardiff said:

“There are very few privately owned paintings by Rembrandt in the UK, the Portrait of Catrina Hooghsaet is 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.”

4 November 2009