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Lost Rubens painting of crucifixion fetches $2.7 million
VERSAILLES, FRANCE - A long-lost painting by Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens, hidden for more than 400 years, sold for 2.3 million euros ($2.7 million) at an auction in Versailles on Sunday.
The artwork, recently discovered in a private Paris townhouse, depicts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Originally part of a French collection, it was long believed to be the work of one of Rubens’ many workshops and was rarely valued above 10,000 euros ($11,500).
Auctioneer Jean-Pierre Osenat said he suspected the painting’s true value early on and sought authentication. The work was ultimately confirmed by the Rubenianum, the Rubens committee in Antwerp.
Art historian Nils Büttner noted that while Rubens frequently painted crucifixions, he rarely portrayed Christ as a dead figure on the cross. “This is the one and only painting showing blood and water from the side wound of Christ, something Rubens painted only once,” Büttner said.
Scientific analysis further confirmed the painting’s authenticity and provenance. Microscopic examination revealed pigments typical of Rubens’ style, including layers of white, black, and red for flesh, as well as blue and green tones.
Art expert Eric Turquin added that the painting had virtually disappeared in the early 1600s. It later belonged to 19th-century French painter William Bouguereau and was passed down through his family before resurfacing for the auction.
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