Cambridge art history experts have helped verify a self-portrait by the Dutch artist Rembrandt to be genuine after 50 years of debate.

The artwork was bequeathed to the National Trust in 2010 by the estate of Lady Samuel of Wych Cross, and the charity subjected it to scientific analysis to verify its authenticity. These tests included visual examination under magnification, infra-red reflectography, X-rays, raking light photography and pigment and medium analysis.

The painting, which depicts the artist in “fanciful costume” and was painted in 1635 when Rembrandt was 29 years old and living in Amsterdam, is belived to be worth around £30 million after it was delcared as authentic by Prof Van de Wetering, the world’s leading Rembrandt expert.

The painting will go on display at Rembrandt Revealed, at Buckland Abbey in Devon, on 13 June.