Long lost Rubens painting sells for $2.7 million at auction in France
13 Video Views·Dec 10, 2025
A long-lost painting by Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens, which was hidden for more than four centuries, sold for 2.3 million euros ($2.7 million) at an auction Sunday in Versailles. The painting was recently found in a private townhouse in Paris. It depicts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. (AP Video/Alexander Turnbull).
This picture has a famous provenance because it comes from William Bouguereau, who was one of the
main classicist painters of the late 19th century. But we know the existence of the
picture since a print of 1625 by Wosterman, which is with the initial PPR, Pierre-Paul Rubens.
And so we know there was a Rubens lost since 1625, and to see it reappearing is fantastic.
And there can be discussions on this picture because it is quite possible that the clouds
are not by Rubens. It is also possible that the vegetation is not by Rubens. And now there was a
discussion between art historians, is the view of Jerusalem by the artist himself or is it by
somebody else. But the main figure, there was unanimity around it, not only by Rubens,
but it's a masterpiece by the artist.