The work was previously part of a private collection and was long incorrectly attributed to another artist. Following research and attribution by experts, the painting's true creator has been established. Stockholm's Auction House therefore describes it as "rediscovered".
Jusepe de Ribera (1591–1652) created the painting between 1612 and 1616. After an intense bidding war, it was knocked down for five million kronor, a new record for a Ribera in Scandinavia, according to the auction house.
"It's fantastic to see such an exclusive and art historically high-class work receive appreciation and create international bidding competition at an auction in Sweden. I'm glad to see this early work by Jusepe de Ribera take its rightful place in art history", says Victoria Svederberg, head of the art department at Stockholm's Auction House, in a press release.
