LONDON, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Lancelot William Thwaytes lost his court battle with Sotheby's Friday over a work of art that may or may not have been painted by Italian master Caravaggio.
Thwaytes inherited "The Cardsharps," and after being told by Sotheby's it was painted by one Caravaggio's followers, sold it in 2006 for £46,000 ($70,000). The painting was bought by Sir Denis Mahon, who had it cleaned, restored and insured for £10 million ($15 million) after declaring it an original Carvaggio.