The Daily Telegraph has announced the news that an old painting has been proved to be… old. And because it’s old, it might be by Raphael:

In a study published this week, [scientists] confirmed that the pigments – cinnabar, haematite red lead, lead white, goethite, verdigris green and azurite – were all commonly used in a Renaissance palette making it likely that it dates from the early 16th century.On Christ’s right foot, he has six toes, which was a familiar device used by Renaissance artists, and in particular Raphael. […]

The figure of Christ also appears to share the same hairline and nose as the male figures in Raphael’s Madonna with the Christ Child, which dates from 1502.

How exciting would it be if it turns out to be indeed a genuine Raphael!