Image copyright AFP Image caption Manuscripts found in the 15th century in a Paris basilica turned out to be a fake
The claims of one of the world’s most expensive paintings – worth around $450m (£304m) – is being doubted by the Museum of the City of New York.
“The Salve Regina” by French 16th-century artist Lucas Cranach the Elder was purportedly commissioned by King Philip IV of Spain, and had been sold for $60m earlier this year.
The Irish Museum of Modern Art also said the painting lacked the “hallmarks of authenticity”.
But Swiss art expert Ian Jones told the BBC that the painting’s provenance was “no different from the likes of Leonardo and Rembrandt”.
Image copyright ADRIAN ETFINGER/AFP/Getty Images Image caption The “Salvator Mundi” dates from around 1500
He said the painting had been originally owned by Baruch Spinoza, the founder of modern philosophy, who disappeared in 1571.
The museum in New York suspects that it was stolen from Catholic congregations, then owned by collectors before it was bought by an Italian businessman in 1978.
The Cranach the Elder’s spokesman, Helena Lorenzi, has responded by saying the painting has been “refurbished and professionally restored in 2016”.
It is currently on loan to the Museo Santa Maria Novella in Florence, Italy, until late June.
Photo copyright AFP/ Getty Images Image caption Nicolas de Lange, Director of the Museo Santa Maria Novella, said the painting was still a classic
Nicolas de Lange, director of the Museo Santa Maria Novella, said the painting is still a classic.
“This is a not forgery,” he said, while Mr Jones said the painting “grew from a secret population forgery to one of the very best realist examples in the world”.
The Catholic Church has said the painting is in violation of its laws.