Lost Rubens painting depicting crucifixion of Jesus Christ sells for $2.7 million

A long-lost painting by the Baroque master Peter Paul Rubenswhich was hidden for more than four centuries, sold for $2.7 million at an auction Sunday in Versailles.

The painting was recently found in a private home in Paris. It represents the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

It was part of a French collection and was initially thought to have come from one of the many Rubens workshops that existed at the time. The artwork was rarely valued at more than $11,500.

“I immediately had a hunch about this painting and did everything I could to try to authenticate it,” auctioneer Jean-Pierre Osenat told The News. “And we finally got it authenticated by the Rubenianum, the Rubens committee in Antwerp.”

Osenat told News earlier this year that the painting was “a masterpiece” that was painted by Rubens when he was “at the peak of his talent.”

The painting was authenticated by German art historian Nils Buttner, known for his research on the Flemish Baroque master, Osenat said. Its provenance was certified using methods including X-ray images and pigment analysis, he added.

Büttner explained before the auction that the master often painted crucifixions, but rarely depicted “Christ crucified as a corpse on the cross.”

“So this is the only painting that shows blood and water coming out of Christ’s side wound, and this is something Rubens only painted once.”

The Osenat auction house said the painting’s authenticity and provenance were confirmed after scientific analysis. He said microscopic examination of the paint layers revealed not only white, black and red pigments in the areas representing flesh, but also blue and green pigments that Rubens often used to paint human skin.

Art expert Eric Turquin told a packed house that the painting had virtually disappeared by the early 17th century. It is known to have belonged to 19th century French classical painter William Bouguereau before it was passed down from generation to generation.

Although Rubens produced many works for the Church, it is likely that the painting, which measures 42 by 29 inches, was created for a private collector.

An avalanche of paintings by famous artists have been sold at auction in recent days.

Last week, a previously unknown work by French impressionist painter Auguste Renoir of his young son Jean sold for $2.08 million at a Paris auction.

Also in November, a self-portrait of the famous Mexican artist Frida Kahlo sold for $54.66 million in New York, a record for a painting of a woman. Two nights before, a canvas by Gustav Klimt obtained 236.4 million dollars – a record for a work of modern art.