A rediscovered painting by Flemish baroque master Peter Paul Rubens has been sold at auction in France for €2.3 million, far exceeding its expected estimate. The sale took place after the work resurfaced last year in a Paris mansion, where it had remained concealed for more than four hundred years. The final total, including additional buyer fees, reached €2.94 million, confirming intense interest from the international art market and renewed attention to Rubens’ body of work.
The painting, dating from 1613, depicts Christ on the cross and stands out for the dramatic style and emotional intensity that defined Rubens’ mature period. Its rediscovery has been regarded by experts as one of the most significant Rubens finds in recent memory. Until recently the painting was known only through an engraving made by one of the artist’s contemporaries, which allowed art historians to document its existence despite never having seen the original canvas.
A Rare Work Attributed to Rubens
Auctioneer Jean-Pierre Osenat uncovered the painting while preparing the Paris property for sale, describing the find as the discovery of a “masterpiece.” German art historian Nils Büttner, a specialist in Rubens’ work, authenticated the painting after examining the materials, style, and provenance. Technical analysis, including pigment studies and X-ray imaging, helped confirm the attribution and its age.
Experts have noted several unique features. While Rubens painted multiple crucifixions for religious patrons, this work stands apart due to its depiction of Christ’s body. According to Büttner, it is the only known painting by Rubens where blood and water are shown flowing from Christ’s side wound, a distinctive detail with symbolic and artistic significance. The composition also differs from some of Rubens’ ecclesiastical commissions, suggesting it was likely created for a private collector rather than a church.
The artwork measures 105.5 by 72.5 centimeters and reflects the dramatic contrasts, luminous flesh tones, and dynamic emotional presence that helped define the early phase of baroque painting. Its dark, atmospheric sky and the vivid isolation of the central figure demonstrate the theatrical visual language Rubens developed during this period.
A Long History and Strong Market Response
The painting’s origins stretch back to early seventeenth-century Flanders, but its more recent history also adds to its value. During the nineteenth century it entered the collection of French academic artist William-Adolphe Bouguereau, after which it remained in private hands and was passed down through his family.
When the painting appeared at auction with an initial estimate of €1–2 million, bidding quickly surpassed expectations. The sale highlights continued demand for museum-quality works by old masters, especially when they have been off the market for generations. Experts say that the painting’s provenance, combined with its rarity and subject matter, contributed to the strong result.
Interest in old master works has risen in recent years, driven by both collectors and institutions aiming to acquire pieces that offer historical or academic importance alongside financial value. For Rubens, who is regarded as one of the defining painters of the baroque era, rediscovered works can reshape scholarship and market trends.
Significance for Rubens Scholarship
With few previously unknown works of this scale still circulating, the discovery has been welcomed by researchers and curators. Specialists say the painting contributes to a deeper understanding of Rubens’ interpretation of religious subjects and the evolution of his technique. It also reinforces his influence on European art, particularly in his level of innovation within dramatic narrative painting.
While Rubens created numerous works for churches, commissions, and civic patrons, experts emphasize that this example highlights his interest in private devotion and the emergence of the art market in early modern Europe. The painting also demonstrates the technical skill and emotional impact that positioned him as a central figure of seventeenth-century baroque painting.
With its sale now finalized, the painting’s next destination has not yet been announced. Whether it enters a private collection or appears in a future museum exhibition, specialists expect the rediscovery to remain an important reference point for future scholarship on Rubens and the baroque period.
