London, July 2 : A self-portrait by renowned Italian Renaissance mastermind Michelangelo has been found hidden in his final painting, the Crucifixion of Saint Peter, believe experts.

According to Maurizio De Luca, the Vatican''''s head of paintings restoration, the artist's fresco painted at the Pauline Chapel in the Vatican City, holds the self-portrait of the genius in the form of a figure in the top left-hand corner of the work.

World''''s leading art experts are convinced that the facial features in the fresco bear a striking resemblance to those in portraits of Michelangelo by other artists.

"What has emerged is a later Michelangelo work seen in a new light, a work which marked the end of his painting, as he dedicated himself to sculpture and architecture," the Independent quoted De Luca as having told La Repubblica newspaper.

"I do believe this is Michelangelo. The blue turban is a very strong indication because it''''s very typical of the hats worn by sculptors to keep the powder off themselves," De Luca added.

The only other generally believed self-portrait of Michelangelo can be seen in his most famous work, the Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel, which he created between 1534 and 1541. (ANI)