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January 10, 2026

Anonymous painting bought at auction on ‘hunch’ identified as two-in-one Rubens

Study of man often featured in works by the Flemish master reveals hidden painting of woman beneath model’s beard

Anonymous painting bought at auction on ‘hunch’ identified as two-in-one Rubens

TL;DR

  • Art dealer Klaas Muller purchased a painting for under €100,000, initially listed as an anonymous Flemish school study.
  • Expert analysis suggests the painting is a genuine study by Flemish Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens.
  • The study depicts a recurring figure of an old man present in several of Rubens' well-known paintings.
  • The artwork is believed to be a prototype study of this figure, which may have been lost.
  • The painting incorporates an earlier depiction of a woman within the old man's beard, suggesting Rubens reused paper.
  • The painting will be exhibited at the Brafa art fair in Brussels and Muller hopes a museum will loan it long-term.

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