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world16h ago
Long-lost Rubens painting depicting crucifixion sells for $2.7M
Wsls.com and 1 more
- The Rubens painting of Christ on the Cross, unearthed in a Paris mansion, sold for about €2.3 million ($2.7 million) at Versailles, signaling a renewed market for rediscovered Old Masters.
- Authentication by Rubenianum in Antwerp and scientific analyses confirmed the work’s Rubens attribution and provenance.
- Paint analysis revealed typical Rubens skin tones with blue and green pigments, supporting the attribution to the master of the Flemish Baroque.
- The painting’s provenance traces to 19th-century French circles and William Bouguereau, adding a documented lineage that matters for collectors.
- Auctioneer Jean-Pierre Osenat emphasized the careful authentication process and the painting’s unique status as a Rubens crucifixion with blood and water from the side wound.
- Experts note Rubens rarely depicted a dead Christ on the cross, making this painting a singular example within his crucifixion imagery.
- The artwork’s value surged from a modest estimate—rarely above €10,000—after authentication and discovery in private hands.
- Provenance verification included X-ray imaging and pigment analysis, supporting a baroque-era attribution and the painting’s authenticity.
- The case marks a notable moment for public access to a Rubens work once confined to private hands, highlighting early Baroque theatricality and luminosity.
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