An old picture that got on the BBC show turned out to be a rarity of the XVII century

British woman Elizabeth Vella took an old portrait, which had been hanging in the house of her grandparents for many years, to the program The Repair Shop, which is broadcast on the British TV channel BBC One. At first, the owners thought that the work was not very old and was created in the XIX century. However, according to experts, it turned out to be a portrait of King Charles II, painted in the XVII century.

Vella's son loves history and is interested in the biography of monarchs. When he saw the picture he brought, he offered to hang it in the room right away. But first, they decided to correct it and suggested that the restorers work on the portrait. It was then that it became clear that the painting is much older than the estimated age. The canvas was updated, and some paint was added to give the portrait a fresher look. According to Elizabeth Vella, she has no plans to sell the painting. Although the find is going to be evaluated in order to have an idea of the cost and insure it. Among other things, the work of an unknown author may also have historical significance, since it was created during the life of the king, perhaps at the very beginning of his reign.

Charles II of England reigned 1660-1685. For some time after the death of his father, he was forced to hide from the supporters of Oliver Cromwell, and for some time he lived in France. When the monarchy was restored in England (the Stuart Restoration in 1660), Charles II returned to his homeland and ascended the throne at the age of 30.

You can find other interesting exhibits of fine art in the section Painting and Graphics.