A new catalogue raisonné by scholar Christof Metzger argues that a painting in London's National Gallery, long considered a copy, is an authentic work by Albrecht Dürer. Metzger, a curator at Vienna's Albertina Museum, contends that the 1497 portrait of Dürer's father shows masterful technique that distinguishes it from known copies.
The attribution challenge matters because it could elevate a significant artwork's status and value, prompting a major museum to reconsider its holdings. The debate highlights the ongoing role of technical analysis and scholarly research in authenticating Old Master paintings, with implications for art historical understanding and public display.