Rembrandt's statute lit by morning sunshine in the style of Rembrandt - a small triangle of light on one cheek. 'Rembrandt lighting'

I will try to answer the very interesting question (below), based on facts, and also give my opinion:-

Q: What did the sculptor want to say through two buttons undone with serious expresssion?

FACTS: In 1840 Belgium separated from The Netherlands, and Belgium claimed 'Rubens' as their national artist & painter. A statue of Rubens was then erected in Antwerp, Belgium. Up until this time Rembrandt was not a well appreciated artist nationally. He dressed scruffily, lost all his money, his final paintings were not accepted, and he died penniless. However, because of the Rubens statue, The Netherlands responded, declaring 'Rembrandt' as their national artist. The Netherlands commissioned 'Royer' to create their statue in bronze in 1852.

MY OPINION: The master Italian sculpter 'Bernini' was born around the time of Rembrandt. Rembrandt, Vemeer, etc, studied Italian art closely - especially the painter Caravaggio and sculptor Bernini. In 1632 Bernini created busts (2) of 'Cardinal Borghese' in which the lose-button-hole detail became a unique feature. Royer has copied this technique to give personality to the Rembrandt statue. The bust of cardinal Borghese, with a lose button, was intended to show the character behind the person.

Royer's sculpting of the buttons are a poor copy of Bernini's artistry. Royer's buttons are excessively dislocated with unbelievably long button-threads - and appear stuck on. Whereas the Bernini buttons show a relaxed attitude to appearance.

Further reading (scroll 4 pages of essential reading about Bernini). Incidentally, the 2nd Bernini bust is infinitly better than the first, so it's last minute hoax was a prank.