On second thought, they really are by Rembrandt

COPENHAGEN’S National Gallery said Wednesday that two of its paintings that were previously believed to be fake Rembrandts were actual works by the Dutch master.

International art experts reevaluated 10 canvases that bear Rembrandt’s signature but were kept in storage for years because they were believed to be copies made by his students.

The five experts concluded that two of the paintings were done by Rembrandt.

“It is a delightful day for the National Gallery,” museum director Allis Helleland said. “We are happy today because we have solved a mystery.”

Using new technology, the experts established that the paintings -- “The Crusader,” from between 1659 and 1691, and “Old Man in Profile,” from about 1630 -- were done by the master.

The paintings were removed from display in 1946 and 1982, respectively, after the paint strokes were deemed too coarse to be by Rembrandt and were attributed to unknown painters in his studio.

Helleland said no values could be given for the two Rembrandts because the paintings belong to a state-financed museum and cannot be put up for sale. She declined to say what the insurance value was.

The reevaluation was performed in connection with the gallery’s coming temporary exhibit “Rembrandt? The Master and His Workshop,” which opens Feb. 4.