The Holy Family, a 16th painting depicting Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus that one expert attributes to Flemish master Hendrick van den Broeck was one of 10 paintings recovered. (Andrew Medichini/Associated Press)

Italian police have recovered 10 masterpieces stolen in 2004, including depictions of the holy family and the whipping of Jesus.

The paintings had been stolen from the halls of Santo Spirito in Sassia, a religious complex near the Vatican.

They were discovered in good condition, wrapped in newspaper in the trailer of a suspected art smuggler, Italan police said Tuesday.

Police art squad chief Gen. Giovanni Nistri said the paintings had a value of about $5.3 million US.

Among the works are the painting Holy Family, showing Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.

The painting is the work of Flemish master Hendrick van den Broeck, who also decorated the entrance of the Sistine Chapel, according to an expert in 16th-century art, Claudio Strinati.

The work had previously been attributed to Parmigianino, a contemporary of Michelangelo.

Also discovered was The Flagellation of Christ, a 17th-century painting by Giuseppe Cesari, a painter also known as the Knight of Arpino.

Police said they discovered the works in December during an investigation of art smuggling.

Gen. Nistri said there was evidence the smuggler intended to try to sell the works outside Italy.

The man is not believed to be behind the theft, which is still under investigation, he said.

With files from the Associated Press