Lost Rubens masterpiece discovered after centuries, fetches huge price at auction
Flemish master Peter Paul Rubens’ newly resurfaced painting ‘Christ on the Cross’ was sold in Versailles, France recently.
If anything defines the work of Flemish master Peter Paul Rubens, it is his unmistakable style. Known for his monumental, muscular figures and the sensuality of his female subjects, Rubens is one of the most celebrated painters of all time and a previously lost masterpiece has fetched an eye-watering price at auction.
Rubens’ Christ on the Cross sold on Sunday in Versailles for €2.9 million ($3.4m), having been lost for centuries.
The 1613 work shows Jesus nailed to the cross, with Calvary and the walled city of Jerusalem in the distance. According to NPR, the piece was rediscovered last year by auctioneer Jean-Pierre Osenat inside a Parisian mansion, revealing both its long-hidden history and the path it has taken over the centuries.
🖼️ A painting depicting Jesus Christ on the cross, painted by Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens, was unveiled to the public at an auction on Sunday.
— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) December 1, 2025
Painted in the Baroque style, the painting was found in a Paris townhouse over 400 years after it was painted. pic.twitter.com/LxDdT5AgHs
Why is the Rubens artwork so valuable?
Osenat came across the painting during an inventory carried out ahead of the mansion’s renovation. He described it as a “masterpiece,” painted when Rubens was “at the height of his talent.” Initially valued between €1 million and €2 million, it ultimately fetched €2.94 million including fees.
Though little documentation existed, an engraving made by one of Rubens’s contemporaries confirmed the composition, and later historians cataloged the work despite never having seen it. German art historian Nils Büttner, a leading Rubens specialist, authenticated the painting.
Christ on the Cross was acquired in the mid-19th century by French painter William-Adolphe Bouguereau and remained in his family until this week’s auction. Büttner notes the piece is unique within Rubens’s body of work for its depiction of Christ.
The painter chose to portray Jesus “as a dead body on the cross,” the historian explains. It is also the only Rubens painting that shows both blood and water flowing from the wound in Christ’s side. X-ray imaging and pigment analysis confirmed Rubens’s authorship, completing the painting’s rediscovery after centuries out of public view.
Related stories
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.