A painting by 17th-century Baroque artist Peter Paul Rubens, titled Christ on the Cross, sold for 2.3 million euros ($2.7 million) at the Osenat auction house in Versailles, France. The sale occurred on Sunday after the artwork was discovered in a Paris townhouse.
The painting, completed in 1613, had not been publicly viewed for over four centuries. Its existence was primarily known through engravings and reproductions by other artists. Auctioneer Jean-Pierre Osenat located the artwork in September 2024 during an inspection of a property prepared for sale in Paris. Osenat described the artwork as being in "very good condition."
Initially, Osenat considered the possibility that the painting originated from one of Rubens' numerous workshops, where the artist collaborated with assistants. However, Osenat pursued further authentication. The piece was subsequently presented to the Centrum Rubenianum, the official Rubens committee located in Antwerp, Belgium.
Scientific analysis confirmed the painting's authenticity. German art historian and Rubens expert Nils Büttner verified the artwork, noting that microscopic examination of the paint layers revealed blue and green pigments consistent with Rubens' technique for depicting human skin. Büttner informed Osenat of the confirmation, stating, "Jean-Pierre, we have a new Rubens!"
The painting's last known owner was 19th-century French classical painter William Bouguereau, after which it remained within his family. Peter Paul Rubens, born in 1577, is recognized as a master of the Flemish Baroque tradition. This style, prominent in the 16th and 17th centuries, is characterized by dramatic lighting, lifelike realism, and meticulous detail.