AFTER being out on loan to London’s Dulwich Picture Gallery for the last five months, Rembrandt’s flamboyant self-portrait has now returned home to Buckland Abbey.

The portrait is the only verified painting by the Dutch master within the National Trust collection. Previously doubted as being authentic, the self-portrait was scientifically verified as being from Rembrandt’s own hand in 2014 following technical analysis thanks to the players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

James Breslin, house and visitor experience manager for the National Trust said: ‘It’s great to have Rembrandt home again, rehung in the dining room, where he can once again be enjoyed by our visitors in the peace and tranquillity of Buckland Abbey’.

The portrait is part of the National Trust’s collection of over 13,500 paintings; cared for by expert curators and conservators. As a charity, the National Trust looks after its collection and puts them on display at places like Buckland so that people can come and enjoy them for ever.