For about four centuries, *Christ on the Cross*, attributed to Peter Paul Rubens, had vanished from public view. Rediscovered in September 2024, this major work sold at auction last December for €2.94 million, far exceeding its estimates.
Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640) is one of the greatest Flemish painters of the Baroque period, an artistic movement that emerged in the 17th century and is characterized by dynamism, theatricality, contrasting light, and emotional intensity. Trained in Italy, Rubens absorbed the lessons of masters such as Michelangelo and Titian, developing a style recognizable by its monumental figures, complex compositions, and vibrant colors. His works span religious, mythological, and historical painting: among the most famous are The Landing of Marie de’ Medici at Marseille, The Descent from the Cross, and The Abduction of the Daughters of Leucippus. Each painting illustrates his ability to capture the movement and dramatic power of bodies and emotions, as well as to explore the crucifixion.
On this International Museum Day, we look back at the major rediscovery of a work by a leading Flemish painter, exhibited in the world’s greatest museums, from the Louvre to the Prado in Madrid, including the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp and the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.
An Unexpected Rediscovery
Christ on the Cross was painted by Rubens around 1613, when he was at the height of his talent. It highlights his work on religious drama and the intensity of human emotions. It depicts Jesus Christ crucified, alone on his cross. The focus is on his solitude and suffering, with blood and water flowing from his side wound. This painting, measuring approximately 105.5 cm by 72.5 cm, had been lost for 400 years. The work’s existence was known primarily through an old engraving made by a contemporary of Rubens. But it remained impossible to locate until September 2024.
The art world was then shaken by its rediscovery. The painting was found during an inventory of a Parisian mansion in the 6th arrondissement, as part of the sale of the property. Spotted by auctioneer Jean-Pierre Osenat, it underwent numerous scientific analyses, including X-rays, pictorial techniques, and pigment studies—the use of blue and green for skin tones being typical of the artist’s work. To the delight of art aficionados, these expert assessments, validated by the committee of experts at the Rubenianum (Antwerp), confirmed that it was indeed an original by Rubens.
Sold for €2.94 million
The painting is said to have belonged in the 19th century to the classical French painter William-Adolphe Bouguereau, who is said to have passed it down through his family until it resurfaced during an inventory. This extremely rare occurrence underscores the value of this exceptional work and enriches the painter’s catalog.
In the fall of 2025, *Christ on the Cross* was offered at an auction organized by the Versailles branch of Maison Osenat. Prior to the official sale, the painting was exhibited to the public, allowing art lovers to admire the work and enabling collectors and institutions to envision its potential and assess its significance. This also boosted its media exposure.
On November 30, this prestigious piece was put up for auction. The starting price was estimated between 1 and 2 million euros, but quickly exceeded these expectations: the hammer fell at 2.94 million euros, including fees. Acquired by an anonymous buyer, the painting remains a major work in Rubens’s career, and its long period of obscurity only serves to perpetuate, forever, the myth surrounding it.
A high price… but far from the 2016 record
The high auction price of the painting *Christ on the Cross* should not overshadow the true record for the Flemish painter: 45 million pounds (58 million dollars) for Lot and His Daughters at Christie’s in 2016. It should also be put into perspective with other works of his sold at auction, such as *Salome*, which went for $26.9 million at Sotheby’s, or certain smaller works—or even those produced by his studio—that fetch $4 to $5 million.
By comparison, painters such as Picasso, Klimt, and Basquiat typically fetch between $100 million and $200 million. But the absolute record—and a particularly rare one at that—belongs to none other than Leonardo da Vinci: up to $450 million for the Salvator Mundi, supposedly painted by the artist and acquired in 2017 by Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.
While the supply of Rubens is more limited, it is also less speculative than contemporary art. Most of his older works are found in public or aristocratic collections. With a value that is primarily historical and museum-oriented, Rubens has fewer “investor” buyers but more museums, foundations, and even a few major collectors.
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Featured photo : DR
