Jacob de Gheyn III (painting) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jacob de Gheyn III
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Jacob de Gheyn III by Rembrandt
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| Born |
Jacob de Gheyn III
1596 |
| Died | 1641 (aged 44–45) |
| Nationality | Netherlands |
| Known for | Painting, Engraving |
| Movement | Baroque |
Jacob de Gheyn III (1596–1641) was a talented artist from the Dutch Golden Age. He was known for his amazing engravings. Jacob was the son of another famous artist, Jacob de Gheyn II. His father was also a canon in Utrecht (city), which means he held an important position in the church.
Jacob de Gheyn III is perhaps most famous today because of a special oil painting made of him. This portrait was painted in 1632 by the legendary artist Rembrandt. The painting is actually one of a pair. The other portrait shows Jacob's good friend, Maurits Huygens. Both friends are wearing similar clothes and face different directions in their portraits.
The Painting's Many Adventures
The portrait of Jacob de Gheyn III by Rembrandt has a very unusual nickname: the "takeaway Rembrandt." This is because it has been stolen four times since 1966! This makes it the most stolen painting in history.
The First Thefts
One time, between August 14 and September 3, 1981, the painting was taken from the Dulwich Picture Gallery. Police found it when they stopped a taxi and arrested four men who had the painting with them.
Less than two years later, a burglar broke into the art gallery. They smashed a skylight and climbed down into the building. The thief used a crowbar to remove the painting from the wall. Police arrived very quickly, within three minutes, but the thief had already escaped.
Where the Painting Was Found
This time, the painting was missing for three years. It was finally found on October 8, 1986. It was sitting in a luggage rack at a train station in Münster, Germany.
On other occasions, the painting was found in very strange places. Once, it was discovered underneath a bench in a graveyard in Streatham. Another time, it was found simply resting on the back of a bicycle! These stories show just how many adventures this famous painting has had.
