Museum uncovers hidden masterpiece

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The Indiana State Museum wants to solve a mystery, and maybe you can help.

The museum recently discovered it had a hidden masterpiece in its collection. A conservator found the T.C. Steele painting underneath another. The conservator calls it a miraculous discovery.

And, of course, it's a thrill for the museum.

"First of all, it is so unusual to come across a painting like this that no one knew existed for at least 86 years. So that in itself is very exciting for the museum,” said Kathi Moore, the museum’s director of communications.

• ONLINE EXTRA | Hear more from Moore. Click through the videos above to see her full interview.

The mystery painting is also important because it comes from an era that's not well-represented in the museum's Steele collection. Now, the experts want to identify the place in the painting, and they hope someone might recognize the structures in the painting.

If you think you can help, call the museum at 317-232-1637.