A long-lost painting by the celebrated Flemish Baroque master, Peter Paul Rubens, has been sold at auction for a staggering sum, following its remarkable rediscovery in a private Parisian home.
A Masterpiece Unearthed
The artwork, titled 'Christ on the Cross' and dated to 1613, was found by auctioneer Jean-Pierre Osenat last year. He discovered the canvas while preparing a mansion in Paris for sale, where it had remained hidden for centuries. The painting was subsequently authenticated by renowned German art historian Nils Büttner, an expert on Rubens, using techniques including X-ray imaging and pigment analysis.
On Sunday, the auction took place in Versailles, France, conducted by Osenat's auction house. The final hammer price reached €2.3 million (approximately $2.7 million), soaring past the pre-sale estimate of €1-2 million. With the addition of fees and buyer's premium, the total cost rose to €2.94 million ($3.41 million).
The Significance of the Rediscovery
Experts have hailed the find as highly significant. Büttner noted that while Rubens painted several crucifixion scenes, this particular work is unique in his oeuvre for depicting "the crucified Christ as a dead body on the cross". He emphasised, "this is the one and only painting showing blood and water coming out of the side wound of Christ, and this is something that Rubens only painted once."
Osenat described the piece as a masterpiece created when Rubens was "at the height of his talent", characterising it as "the very beginning of baroque painting, depicting a crucified Christ, isolated, luminous and standing out vividly against a dark and threatening sky." Measuring 105.5 by 72.5cm (42 by 29 inches), it was likely commissioned for a private collector rather than a church.
A Provenance Shrouded in History
The painting's history is a tale of obscurity and rediscovery. For generations, its existence was known only through an engraving made by a peer of Rubens, which was later catalogued by historians who had never seen the original work. It entered the collection of the 19th-century French academic painter William-Adolphe Bouguereau and was passed down through his family before its recent emergence.
The successful sale underscores the enduring market power and historical fascination with Old Master paintings, particularly those with a compelling narrative of loss and rediscovery. The new owner, whose identity remains confidential, has acquired a rare and authenticated work from a pivotal moment in art history.
