Ontvangstbewijs aan Petrus Johannes Arendzen Possibly 1885

This is a receipt made in Amsterdam on October 22nd, 1885, by Frans Buffa and Sons. It acknowledges a payment of two hundred guilders from Petrus Johannes Arendzen for a 'portrait after Rembrandt'. The receipt is a fascinating glimpse into the art market of the late 19th century, and the institutions that shaped it. Buffa and Sons were a well-known firm of art dealers, who played a significant role in promoting Dutch art, both at home and abroad. The mention of a 'portrait after Rembrandt' raises interesting questions about authenticity, copying, and the market for Old Masters at this time. What did it mean to commission or purchase a work 'after' a famous artist? Was it seen as a homage, a skillful imitation, or simply a way to own a piece that evoked the style and prestige of the original? Perhaps further research into the archives of Buffa and Sons, along with period sales records and exhibition catalogues, could shed light on these questions.