Hidden self-portrait found on back of Van Gogh painting

The experts of the National Gallery of Scotland took an x-ray of the painting van gogh "Head of a Peasant Woman" and discovered on the reverse side is a barely visible self-portrait of the artist. It is hidden under layers of glue and paint.

Head of a Peasant Woman was painted in 1885, three years before Van Gogh cut off his ear. And to use canvases several times is in the style of a great artist. He did this to save money.

The painting just found looks like a sketch for Self-Portrait in a Gray Felt Hat (on the cover of the article) - the artist completed this painting in 1888.

Art connoisseurs will be able to see Van Gogh's secret self-portrait at the Taste of Impressionism exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh. So far - only through a special lightbox. In the future, the portrait is planned to be separated from the “Head of a Peasant Woman”, but this is a very delicate work that will take time.

Francis Fowl, senior curator of French art at the National Gallery of Scotland, says moments like this are very rare and "an incredible gift for Scotland".