A self-portrait of Vincent Van Gough was discovered behind the post-impressionist paintings. The painting “Head of a peasant woman” was going through an x-ray as it was set to be displayed in an upcoming exhibition.

National Galleries of Scotland said on July 14 that the art conservators discovered the portrait then. The second painting was hidden through multiple layers of cardboard and glue.

The portrait was described as “A bearded sitter in a brimmed hat with a neckerchief loosely tied at the throat. He fixes the viewer with an intense stare, the right side of his face in shadow and his left ear clearly visible.”

Senior paintings conservator, Lesley Stevenson, shared that they were very excited when they saw the x-ray for the first time. He continued that major discoveries like these happen once or twice in a conservator’s lifetime and it is something very special.

Van Gough was known to re-use his canvases hence this hidden portrait. Experts from the national galleries of Scotland are looking into uncovering the self-portrait without damaging the “Head of a peasant woman”.

“Head of a peasant woman” was made in May 1885 in connection with a larger painting called “Potato eaters”. This makes the portrait hidden for 137 years but its true age will be older.

The x-ray image of the portrait will also be displayed in an exhibition called “A taste for impressionisms” from July 30 to November 13.