Original Rubens Painting Discovered

An original painting by the 17th century Flemish painter Rubens was recently discovered in a small museum in Irbit, Russia, about 124 miles from the nearest city of Yekaterinburg, Russia. It was originally thought to be a replica of Ruben’s "Mary Magdalene in mourning with her sister Martha” but upon further examination it was found to be undoubtedly original. Parts of the painting are thought to be the work of some of his pupils, but other aspects of the painting were done by Rubens himself. It was previously owned by a military medical academy teacher in the late 1800s. It was taken by the Bolsheviks, who then labeled it as a Rubens copy and passed it on to Hermitage in 1931. Hermitage gave the painting to the small museum, whose owner, at best, was looking for replicas in a somewhat good condition. The painting remained in the archives of the museum while waiting to be restored. The painting was finally discovered to be an original when the museum received state funds to restore the painting, just over a year ago. 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/art-news/9683580/New-Rubens-painting-discovered-in-Russia.html