London CNN —A painting valued at $15,000 just two years ago is now expected to fetch up to $18 million at auction after being identified as the work of the Dutch master Rembrandt. Extensive tests revealed changes that Rembrandt had made to the painting. The examination, which involved x-rays and infrared imaging, as well as intensive discussions with leading Rembrandt scholars, led Sotheby’s to conclude the painting is “an autograph work by Rembrandt.” It now values the work at between £10 million and £15 million ($12.2 million-$18.3 million). Thereafter, the painting was “entirely overlooked and completely ignored in the Rembrandt literature,” according to Sothebys. “This sophisticated painting is in equal measure a product of Rembrandt’s brush and his intellect.

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Persons: Rembrandt, “, J.C.H, Christie’s, Sotheby’s, ”, Jesus, George Gordon, Kurt Bauch, Gordon, ” Gordon Organizations: London CNN, Christie’s, Rembrandt, Sotheby’s, CNN Locations: Heldring, Amsterdam, Dutch, Sotheby’s, Leiden, Constantijn, Hong Kong, New York, Los Angeles, London