Lost Rubens Painting of Christ Discovered in Paris Heads too auction
PARIS, FRANCE – A previously unknown 1613 painting by Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens depicting Christ on the cross has been authenticated and will be offered at auction in November, auctioneer Jean-Pierre Osenat announced today. The revelation, made last year in a private mansion south of Paris, promises to reshape understanding of Rubens’s early devotional works and adds a meaningful piece to his catalog raisonné.
Initially mistaken for a work by William-Adolphe Bouguereau, Osenat’s suspicions prompted a thorough investigation utilizing X-ray imaging, pigment analysis, and expert art historical review. The painting’s provenance was ultimately confirmed by Nils Buttner,chairman of the Centranum Rubenianum in Belgium,establishing its authenticity as a work by Rubens created “at the height of” his career. Measuring 42 by 29 inches,the painting depicts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is believed to have been commissioned for a private collector,diverging from many of Rubens’s larger-scale religious compositions.
The rediscovery is particularly notable as it expands the known scope of Rubens’s output during a pivotal period in his artistic progress. While Rubens is celebrated for his dynamic and frequently enough dramatic religious scenes, this work offers insight into his creation of more intimate devotional pieces. The painting will be included in the forthcoming Addenda and Corrigenda of Rubens’s catalogue, solidifying its place within the artist’s established oeuvre.
Osenat’s auction house will conduct the sale on November 30th at Fontainebleau, France. Details regarding the presale estimate remain undisclosed.
