This panel was the same size as a self portrait long believed to be by Rembrandt that is in the Gemaldegalerie in Berlin.

It was coated with dirt and  yellowed varnish, and the background had been repainted – possibly to hide the many little lumpy lead soap inclusions that had been abraded and showed as white spots.

Cleaning revealed a painting in very good condition and of good quality; further investigations may be able to link it to Rembrandt’s busy workshop.