400-year-old Otto van Veen painting found in Iowa attic could be worth millions
DES MOINES, Iowa -- A painting found in the dusty attic of Des Moines' historic Hoyt Sherman Place entertainment venue has turned out to be a big deal. CBS News affiliate KCCI-TV reports that the painting, "Apollo and Venus" by late 16th century and early 17th century Belgian painter Otto van Veen, is believed to be worth millions of dollars.
Someone found the 400-year-old painting about two years ago while looking for Civil War flags in a storage room. Radio Iowa reports the artwork had a tag indicating that it had been donated to the Des Moines Women's Club in 1923.
Officials say the painting was coated with layers of discolored varnish and poor restoration work from decades ago.
Art experts spent four months returning the painting to its pristine appearance.
Hoyt Sherman Place, an entertainment venue that includes a historic theater and art gallery, shared images of the unveiling on Facebook.
