Discovery of £400000 Antoon van Dyck masterpiece
A painting featured on the BBC's Antiques Roadshow was discovered to be an authentic painting by Flemish renaissance artist Antoon van Dyck.
Father Jamie MacLeod, who runs a retreat house in north Derbyshire, was bought the painting for £400 while it actually worth about £400,000, BBC News reports.
According to Father Jamie, he was planning to sell the painting to buy new church bells. He originally bought it at a Cheshire antiques shop.
The BBC show's host Fiona Bruce said she was "thrilled." It is the most valuable painting identified in the show's 36-year history.
Ms. Bruce said: "It's everyone's dream to spot a hidden masterpiece, I'm thrilled that my hunch paid off, to discover a genuine Van Dyck is incredibly exciting. I'm so pleased for Father Jamie."
Dr. Christopher Brown, one of the world authorities on Van Dyck, verified that the painting is genuine.
