Peter Silverman just thought it was a pretty painting. He had no idea that the art he was bidding on, described only as "German, 19th century," was actually a genuine Leonardo da Vinci painting!

After paying just $19,000 for a portrait of a German girl in 2007, Silverman noticed a fingerprint from an index or middle finger on the corner of his newly acquired painting. After taking it in for thorough observation, a Paris laboratory found that it was strikingly comparable to that of famous artist Leonardo da Vinci.

After lining up a few other similarities (such as the left-handed technique (da Vinci was a leftie), "significant" stylistic parallels with those in another da Vinci painting (Portrait of a Woman in Profile in Windsor Castle) and even the 15th century fashion worn by the girl in the painting, quite popular early in da Vinci's career when this would have been created) it was deducted that this is indeed a da Vinci work of art!

The value of the painting has skyrocketed from a mere $19k to literally millions of dollars. The painting will be put on display in a Swedish exhibition next year.

What a stroke of luck for this guy, huh? It makes you think what other unknown works of art from famous artists are out there in circulation.

via Neatorama