Madrid - The Colossus, one of the most famous paintings attributed to Spanish master Francisco de Goya (1746-1828), was created by another artist, a Goya expert at the Prado art museum said Tuesday.

Manuela Mena was expected to make the conclusions of her investigation public in an upcoming report.

The painting, which shows a giant from the rear walking behind frightened people, has a "classicist" style which does not resemble that of Goya, Mena explained earlier.

Mena attributes The Colossus to Asensio Julia, a little-known collaborator of Goya who was influenced by his art.

On the basis of Mena's report, the Prado will decide what to do with The Colossus, painted between 1808 and 1812, which was not included in a recent Goya exhibition at the museum. (dpa)