The paintings were discovered in the home of a wealthy Spanish family

Spanish auction house Subastas Alcala has deemed the pictures original Goyas after discovering them at the home of a wealthy family in Madrid.

Although unsigned, experts at the auction rooms believe the paintings, The Holy Family and Tobias, are early works by the Spanish master dating from around 1787.

"All the specialists we have consulted here in Spain agree that they are works by Goya," said Richard Willermin, head of fine art at Subastas Alcala.

He said one foreign art expert had questioned their authenticity.

Madrid's renowned El Prado art museum, which houses some of Goya's most famous works such as the Nude Maja, has refused to comment publicly on the works.

Triptych

Mr Willermin said the discovery of the paintings, uncovered as valuers were looking at other, inferior works was one of the most important finds of the past 20 years.

They will now go up for auction in May following a two-week public display.

The auction house admitted it was puzzled there was no record of the paintings but suggested the reason could be because they formed part of a religious triptych - three panels usually hinged together.

Mr Willermin added that it was unlikely the Spanish government would allow the paintings to leave the country because of their national importance.

Francisco Goya is considered one of the world's greatest artists and one of the first "modern" artists.

His career spanned the Rococo to the Romantic periods and it is known that he often did not sign his canvasses.