VOA标准英语2010年-Rembrandt Discovery in Campus Bathroom

Dutch master's 17th century etching found in university president's residence

Susan Logue Koster | Washington 09 February 2010

The Very Rev¹. David M. O'Connell examines the etching he discovered in a bathroom cabinet

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"I turned the picture over, and there was a certificate of authenticity² on the back of the frame. It said 'original etching by Rembrandt.'" Very Rev. David M. O'Connell

A small antique etching discovered by the president of Catholic University in Washington, D.C., has created quite a cultural stir.  "I don't think, in my 12 years as president, that anything has attracted so much attention so quickly as this piece of art," says the Very Reverend David M. O'Connell.

Hidden in a bathroom cabinet

The 17th century black-and-white print shows an elderly bearded man wearing a hat. It measures less than 12 by 13 centimeters, so it's not entirely³ surprising that it was overlooked until Father O'Connell discovered it in a bathroom cabinet in the building that serves as both his residence and office.

"I opened the cabinet, took some paper towels out and noticed the frame jutting⁴ out of the bottom under some junk, some papers and things," he recalls. "I pulled the frame out and there was this picture. I recognized the style of the picture right away, and I turned the picture over, and there was a certificate of authenticity on the back of the frame. It said 'original etching by Rembrandt.'"

Ed Pfueller/The Catholic University of America
The etching by 17th century Dutch master, Rembrandt Van Rijn, was discovered by Very Rev. David M. O'Connell, C.M., president of The Catholic University of America, in a bathroom at CUA's Nugent Hall, which houses his office. Ed Pfueller/The Catholic University of America

That was 12 years ago. Father O'Connell says he showed the etching to some of his staff, then took it upstairs to hang in his bedroom. "I showed it to people over the years as a Rembrandt. I didn't see any particular reason to do anything with it."

Until one day in January 2009, when he invited the university archivist, Leslie Knoblauch, to see some of the artwork in his residence. When he showed her the etching, Knoblauch says, "He said, 'I think it's a Rembrandt.'  I said, 'I think it is, too.  We should probably get it appraised⁵.'"

Not rare, but hardly worthless 

The official verdict from an appraiser⁶ here in Washington was yes, it was created by the Dutch master.

"Its value, monetarily⁷, is not worth that much," Father O'Connell says.  "I think we had it assessed at about $4000 because there are so many like this, but only one here."

The local news media, including The Washington Post, picked up the story of the Rembrandt discovery. That prompted a secretary who had worked for Father O'Connell's predecessor⁸ to contact him and shed a little light on why the etching had been ignored. "She e-mailed me immediately and said, 'that picture was here for years in that bathroom.'  Brother Gregory Nugent, for whom the building is named, said to her often 'It's worthless; it's nothing.'"

Father O'Connell says he assumes the etching ended up in the cabinet when the bathroom was painted before his arrival. Now it is the centerpiece of an exhibit in the university library, and both the reverend and archivist Leslie Knoblauch wonder what other treasures may yet be discovered on Catholic University's campus.

 

1 rev   

v.发动机旋转，加快速度

参考例句：

• It's his job to rev up the audience before the show starts.他要负责在表演开始前鼓动观众的热情。
• Don't rev the engine so hard.别让发动机转得太快。

2 authenticity   

n.真实性

参考例句：

• There has been some debate over the authenticity of his will. 对于他的遗嘱的真实性一直有争论。
• The museum is seeking an expert opinion on the authenticity of the painting. 博物馆在请专家鉴定那幅画的真伪。

3 entirely   

ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
• His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

4 jutting   

v.（使）突出( jut的现在分词 )；伸出；（从…）突出；高出

参考例句：

• The climbers rested on a sheltered ledge jutting out from the cliff. 登山者在悬崖的岩棚上休息。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The soldier saw a gun jutting out of some bushes. 那士兵看见丛林中有一枝枪伸出来。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

5 appraised   

v.估价( appraise的过去式和过去分词 )；估计；估量；评价

参考例句：

• The teacher appraised the pupil's drawing. 老师评价了那个学生的画。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He appraised the necklace at ￡1000. 据他估计，项链价值1000英镑。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 appraiser   

n.评价者，鉴定者，估价官

参考例句：

• The certification is invalid without the signature of appraiser, checker and approver. 鉴定书无主检、审核、批准签字无效。 来自互联网
• The "quasi-balance" appraiser is the people and the historical development. “准平衡”的评判者是人民大众和历史发展。 来自互联网

7 monetarily   

adv.金融地

参考例句：

8 predecessor   

n.前辈，前任

参考例句：

• It will share the fate of its predecessor.它将遭受与前者同样的命运。
• The new ambassador is more mature than his predecessor.新大使比他的前任更成熟一些。