Lost Rubens Painting Fetches a Record Price
The long-lost painting "Christ on the Cross" by Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens was sold at auction in France for an astonishing 2.3 million euros. As reported by The Guardian,
the artwork, created in 1613, was discovered by auctioneer Jean-Pierre Osenat in a Parisian estate that was being prepared for sale. The painting had been hidden for over four centuries.
Although the auction house anticipated a sale price of between 1 and 2 million euros, it ultimately sold for 2.3 million euros.
Osenat described this "masterpiece" created by Rubens in the 17th century as being "at the height of his talent."
"This is the very beginning of baroque painting, depicting the crucified Christ, isolated, illuminated, and starkly highlighted against a dark and foreboding sky," he clarified.
According to the auctioneer, the authenticity of the painting was confirmed by German art historian Nils Büttner, known for his studies on the Flemish baroque master.
Büttner noted that while Rubens often painted crucifixions, he rarely depicted "the crucified Christ as a dead body on the cross."
"Thus, this is a unique and singular painting that shows blood and water flowing from Christ's side wound, a depiction Rubens created only once," the historian added.
Little is known about the work "Christ on the Cross," except that its engraving was made by one of Rubens' contemporaries. Later historians described this engraving and recorded the painting, although they had never seen it themselves.
Peter Paul Rubens — a Flemish painter, one of the most influential masters of the baroque period.
Rubens created altarpieces, portraits, landscapes, and large historical canvases, and also worked as a designer of tapestries, engravings, and architectural projects. He managed a large workshop in Antwerp and left behind a vast legacy of around 3,000 paintings.
