TOWN OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. -- A painting that hung on a wall in a Western New York home for years appears to be a lost piece of artwork by none other than Michelangelo.

Tonawanda resident Martin Kober said in 2003 he began to investigate where it came from.

He said the painting resembled authentic paintings in museums across Europe, but no one believed that it was a real Michelangelo.

An Italian art historian visited the home to see the painting and tests were done that showed it wasn't a copy had authentic markings that resembled Michelangelo’s style.

The painting now currently locked away in a vault. It could be worth nearly $300 million.