Painting Of Crucifixion Lost For Over 400 Years Sells For Shocking Price

A painting by Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens, long thought lost, sold for nearly $2.7 million at an auction in Versailles on Sunday (November 30). The artwork, titled "Christ on the Cross," was discovered in a Paris townhouse after being hidden for over four centuries. The painting, completed in 1613, depicts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is unique for showing blood and water flowing from Christ's side wound, a subject Rubens painted only once, according to Rubens expert Nils Büttner.

Auctioneer Jean-Pierre Osenat found the painting during a routine inspection of the Paris home in September 2024. Initially believed to be from one of Rubens' many workshops, the painting's authenticity was confirmed by the Centrum Rubenianum in Antwerp, Belgium, through scientific analysis and microscopic examination of the paint layers. The use of blue and green pigments consistent with Rubens' technique helped verify the painting's authenticity.

The painting's provenance traces back to 19th-century French classic painter William Bouguereau, who owned it before it disappeared from public view. Osenat's auction house sold the painting for $2.67 million, with the total price rising to $3.41 million after fees, including a buyer's premium.

The painting's new owner remains unidentified, and its discovery is considered a significant find in the art world, given the rarity and value of authentic Rubens paintings. Rubens, born in 1577, is renowned for his contributions to the Flemish Baroque tradition, characterized by dramatic lighting and lifelike realism.