In the midst of the work of clearing ivy from the walls of the gallery in Piacenza, northern Italy, the gardener discovered a metal plate. Behind the plate was a cavity where a painting that looked like the Austrian artist Gustav Klimt's 1916 work was stored.

Stals 1997

In connection with the fact that the Klimteboard was stolen from the gallery in 1997, the frame was found on the roof - possibly because the thieves then wanted to make it look like they entered through the premises skylights. According to the police, the plan may have been to keep the board hidden on the gallery's ground until attention was paid to the theft.

Italian police next to the recovered painting, believed to be the stolen work by Gustav Klimt from 1916. Photo: TT

The authenticity of the board is being investigated

Surveys are now being conducted to ascertain whether the gardener's finding is the original work. However, the gallery's director, Massimo Ferrari, is sure it is the missing board that has been recovered, according to BBC News. This is because the board has the same stamps on the back as the original, according to him.