Rare Brueghel the Younger painting found behind door in French home

Exceptional' piece, valued at up to 800,000, had been hanging behind door after being in family since 1900

A rare painting by the 17th-century artist Pieter Brueghel the Younger, described as exceptional" and one of his largest known works, will be sold by auction in Paris later this month.

The painting was discovered hanging behind a door at a home in the north of France. It had been in the same family since 1900 but its provenance before then remains a mystery. The work - measuring 112cm high and 184cm wide, and valued at up to 800,000 (712,844) - is a version of L'Avocat du village (the Village Lawyer), a theme Brueghel reproduced up to 90 times. It is believed to have been painted between 1615 and 1617.