The Calling of Saints Peter and Andrew by Caravaggio. Photograph: Royal Collection/PA
After three centuries spent in storage at Hampton Court, two "new" Caravaggios will go on display in the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace later on this week.
It took six years to remove the grime, varnish and over-painting that had fooled experts into thinking that they were worthless copies.
Now they will form the centrepiece of the first exhibition of Italian art from the Royal collection in over 40 years.
But for those of you unable to get down to Buckingham Palace here they are.
The earliest known Caravaggio, A Boy Peeling Fruit already shows his trademark sweep of light out of darkness, the boy's glaring white shirt floating eerily out of the abyss behind. The boy is characteristically unbothered by his high-contrast environment, preferring to concentrate on the tricky task of removing the peel in one piece.
The Calling of Saints Peter and Paul dates from some 10 years later. A fresh-faced Jesus seems in two minds about his latest recruits - less fathers of the church than grandfathers - but the fish are definitely absolutely top notch. "All we need now," says our Lord, "is a bit of parsley and a nice wedge of lemon, boys, and we're away. Follow me."
