Painting in Brussels hall turns out to be an original by Flemish master Jacob Jordaens

Experts say incredible discovery' is the earliest known version of the early 17th century artist's Holy Family works

A painting that hung for decades in a municipal building in Brussels has been authenticated as the work of Flemish master Jacob Jordaens.

After analysis including dendrochronology - dating works from the wood panels they are painted on - experts determined that it is the oldest known version of The Holy Family by Jordaens, painted in the early 17th century.