A young couple who bought a painting at the King’s Day flea market in Alkmaar for €5 actually picked up an original work by Dutch master Jan Steen, local broadcaster RTV Noord-Holland reports.

The painting was valued at open day in Beverwijk at at least €20,000. ‘You feel it immediately, this is right,’ said valuation expert Jeroen Zoetmulder.

The painting shows a man celebrating with a tankard in his hand and is thought to be the smallest Jan Steen in existence.

The painting has already undergone checks by other experts and will undergo further research to make sure it really is by the Dutch master.

‘It is worth, conservatively €20,000,’ said Zoetmulder. ‘Work by Jan Steen does not come on the market very often.’

Jan Havickszoon Steen (c. 1626 – 1679) is known for his vivid and humorous portrayals of daily life. He is thought to have produced about 800 paintings, of which roughly 350 survive.