Lost Rubens Portrait of Historical Gay Duke Found

From The Independent by Roisin O'Connor

A previously lost portrait of one of the "most famous gay men in history" by Peter Paul Rubens has been re-discovered in Glascow

The portrait of George Villiers, first Duke of Buckingham - thought to have been the lover of James I - was found hanging in a National Trust for Scotland property,
It was believed to be a copy of the lost original, which was missing for almost 400 years, but an expert now thinks it's the real deal after spotting it in the gallery of Pollok House.

Dr. Bendor Grosvenor saw the painting when it was featured in an episode of BBC Four's Britain's Lost Masterpieces, which showed how layers of dirt and overpainting obscured Ruben's techniques.

The restored portrait was authenticated as a Rubens by Ben van Beneden, director of the Rubenshuis in Antwerp.

The portrait of the duke, dressed in a doublet with an elaborate lace collar and sash, dates from around 1625.

George Villiers was a controversial figure who rose from minor nobility to become one of the favourites of James I (James VI in Scotland).

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