Art historians in Italy have claimed to have discovered nearly 100 early works of Caravaggio. If proven to be true, the works by the young Caravaggio could fetch be worth an astonishing $900 million, according to LA Times.


Researches reportedly found dozens of early drawings by Caravaggio in the collection of master Milanese artist Simone Peterzano, the teacher who taught him between 1584 to 1588. But these works were not hidden anywhere, they were at Milan's Sforza Castle, and in plain sight for other historians to see.


However, experts have challenged the historians' claim, saying the artwork's provenance has not been proven.


"It was impossible that Caravaggio had left no trace of his activity between 1584 and 1588 at the workshop of a painter who was famous and sought after at the time," said Maurizio Bernardelli Curuz, one of the historians claiming that the artwork belongs to Caravaggio.


An investigation has been launched by the city of Milan to determine whether the historians' claims are true.


Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was an Italian artist who was notorious for brawling. His death in 1610 remains a mystery and he is said to have had a long rap sheet. He had also killed a man in one of his fights.