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The Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth declined to disclose how much it paid for the work, but some experts say they believe the figure was more than $6 million, according to the New York Times.

Scholars have debated the painting's attribution for more than four centuries, but some now believe the 15th-century oil and tempera work, The Torment of Saint Anthony, was painted by Michelangelo between 1487 and 1488, when the artist was only 12 or 13. It shows a saint poised in midair and beaten by demons and has recently undergone conservation and technical research at the Met.

Claire M. Barry, the Kimbell’s chief curator, heard about the work and came to the Met to see it. She then contacted Kimbell Director Eric Lee, who also inspected it and persuaded his board to buy it. Lee told the AP that the work is one of the greatest rediscoveries in the history of art.

Once the work is on view, the Kimball will become the only U.S. museum to display a Michelangelo painting. Lee said he may loan the painting to other museums later for traveling exhibitions.