A painting bought for $25 in 1899 could be an original Raphael worth $26M

Allyssia Alleyne, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 8:31 AM EST, Fri November 11, 2016
While researching an episode of the BBC's <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07xjtbp" target="_blank" target="_blank">"Britain's Lost Masterpieces"</a> series at the National Trust for Scotland's <a href="http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/Haddo-House/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Haddo House</a> collection in Aberdeenshire, art historian Bendor Grosvenor and a team of experts found a painting that could have been painted by Raphael. The work, originally purchased for $25 dollars at the end of the 19th century, could now be worth $26 million.
While researching an episode of the BBC's "Britain's Lost Masterpieces" series at the National Trust for Scotland's Haddo House collection in Aberdeenshire, art historian Bendor Grosvenor and a team of experts found a painting that could have been painted by Raphael. The work, originally purchased for $25 dollars at the end of the 19th century, could now be worth $26 million.
Courtesy National Trust for Scotland
In April 2016, <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2016/04/13/europe/treasured-french-painting-recovered/">a painting believed to be by Caravaggio</a> was found in an attic in France. Experts said is could be worth $136 million.
In April 2016, a painting believed to be by Caravaggio was found in an attic in France. Experts said is could be worth $136 million.
Reuters
In May 2016, divers <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2016/05/16/middleeast/roman-coins-treasure-shipwreck-israel/">discovered</a> a 1,600-year-old shipwreck while swimming the ancient Roman port of Caesarea. These rare bronze artifacts were recovered from the ship.
In May 2016, divers discovered a 1,600-year-old shipwreck while swimming the ancient Roman port of Caesarea. These rare bronze artifacts were recovered from the ship.
Clara Amit, Courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority
Over 1,300 pounds (590 kg) of bronze Roman coins dating to the 3rd century A.D. were <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2016/04/29/europe/spain-roman-coins-found/">unearthed</a> in April 2016 by construction workers digging a trench in Spain.
Over 1,300 pounds (590 kg) of bronze Roman coins dating to the 3rd century A.D. were unearthed in April 2016 by construction workers digging a trench in Spain.
ATLAS
Archaeologists <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/20/middleeast/jerusalem-nero-coin/index.html">unearthed</a> a rare 2,000 year old Roman coin during a <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/20/middleeast/jerusalem-nero-coin/index.html">scientific dig</a> in Jerusalem during the summer of 2016. The gold coin features the face of Emperor Nero and was likely struck in 56-57 AD.
Archaeologists unearthed a rare 2,000 year old Roman coin during a scientific dig in Jerusalem during the summer of 2016. The gold coin features the face of Emperor Nero and was likely struck in 56-57 AD.
UNC Charlotte
The bead on this bracelet, from Portland-based design company William Henry, is actually <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/29/luxury/dinosaur-bone-accessories/">made</a> using fossilized mammoth tooth and dinosaur bones.
The bead on this bracelet, from Portland-based design company William Henry, is actually made using fossilized mammoth tooth and dinosaur bones.
courtesy william henry
This 1,109 carat, tennis ball-sized diamond made headlines in November 2015 when it was <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/09/luxury/most-expensive-rough-diamond/">pulled</a> out of the Karowe Mine, in Botswana, by Canadian company Lucara Diamond Corp.
This 1,109 carat, tennis ball-sized diamond made headlines in November 2015 when it was pulled out of the Karowe Mine, in Botswana, by Canadian company Lucara Diamond Corp.
Courtesy de Grisogono
In January 2016, over 4,000 Roman coins were <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2015/11/20/luxury/roman-coins-switzerland-farmer/">discovered</a> by a fruit and vegetable farmer on a molehill in his cherry orchard in Switzerland.
In January 2016, over 4,000 Roman coins were discovered by a fruit and vegetable farmer on a molehill in his cherry orchard in Switzerland.
Béla Polyvàs, Canton of Aargau
In September 2016, ancient Roman coins were discovered <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/27/luxury/ancient-roman-coins-japan/">in a ruined castle</a> in Okinawa, Japan.
In September 2016, ancient Roman coins were discovered in a ruined castle in Okinawa, Japan.
Uruma Board of Education
Discovered: Incredible finds in unexpected places

Story highlights

A painting originally considered a Raphael copy could be a genuine work from the Italian Old Master

The discovery, made by art historian Bendor Grosvenor, will be featured on the BBC's "Britain's Lost Masterpieces" show

CNN  — 

In 1899, a painting of the Virgin Mary believed to be a respectable copy sold for $25 (about $2,574 in modern prices). Now it seems that it could be a genuine Raphael worth $26 million.

Stolen Van Gogh paintings found after 14 years in raid on Italian mafia group

The discovery was made by Bendor Grosvenor, an art historian and presenter for the BBC’s “Britain’s Lost Masterpieces” series, which looks for valuable works of art in local public art collections.

Grosvenor and a team of experts were examining the collection at the National Trust for Scotland’s Haddo House collection in Aberdeenshire when they found the painting, which is dated between 1505 and 1510 and had previously been attributed to the Italian artist Innocenzo da Imola.

He asked permission to have the piece professionally cleaned, conserved and investigated after noticing a striking resemblance to the Italian painter and architect’s work.

In 1911, Leonardo Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" was stolen from the Louvre by an Italian who had been a handyman for the museum. The now-iconic painting was recovered two years later.
In 1911, Leonardo Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" was stolen from the Louvre by an Italian who had been a handyman for the museum. The now-iconic painting was recovered two years later.
JEAN-PIERRE MULLER/AFP/Getty Images
A statue called "Young Girl With Serpent" by Auguste Rodin was stolen from a home in Beverly Hills, California, in 1991. It was returned after someone offered it on consignment to Christie's auction house. Rodin, a French sculptor considered by some aficionados to have been the father of modern sculpture, lived from 1840 until 1917. His most famous work, "The Thinker," shows a seated man with his chin on his hand.
A statue called "Young Girl With Serpent" by Auguste Rodin was stolen from a home in Beverly Hills, California, in 1991. It was returned after someone offered it on consignment to Christie's auction house. Rodin, a French sculptor considered by some aficionados to have been the father of modern sculpture, lived from 1840 until 1917. His most famous work, "The Thinker," shows a seated man with his chin on his hand.
courtesy Art Recovery
Picasso's "La Coiffeuse" ("The Hairdresser") was discovered missing in 2001 and was recovered when it was shipped from Belgium to the United States in December 2014. The shipper had listed the item as a $37 piece of art being sent to the United States as a Christmas present.
Picasso's "La Coiffeuse" ("The Hairdresser") was discovered missing in 2001 and was recovered when it was shipped from Belgium to the United States in December 2014. The shipper had listed the item as a $37 piece of art being sent to the United States as a Christmas present.
AFP/Getty Images