When an art restorer examined a dusty, unsigned painting bought at a flea market, she noticed odd brush strokes beneath the surface.

Out of curiosity, she ran it through an X-ray scan—and what it revealed shocked the art world.

Beneath the dull still life was a vibrant portrait unmistakably attributed to a famous 17th-century artist.

Experts confirmed its authenticity, and the $30 flea market find suddenly became a $4.5 million treasure.

The buyer, a retired schoolteacher, now faces the delightful dilemma of keeping the piece or cashing in. Either way, a forgotten masterpiece has been brought back to life.