Belgian art dealer Klaas Muller purchased a painting at an online auction three years ago, identified only as a study by an unknown artist of the Flemish school. After research, he discovered the work is likely a rediscovered study by Peter Paul Rubens (circa 1609), featuring a hidden second image of a woman's face visible when the painting is turned upside down. The work will debut at the BRAFA art fair in Brussels, where Muller serves as chairman.
The discovery matters because it adds a previously unknown work to Rubens's oeuvre, potentially a prototype used by the artist to develop facial types for larger compositions. The painting's dual-image feature is rare and intriguing, though some art historians urge caution before confirming its authenticity. If validated, the work could attract museum interest for a long-term loan, highlighting the ongoing importance of sleuthing in the Old Master market.