A painting by renowned Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens that had been missing for approximately 400 years has been discovered and officially authenticated as genuine. The artwork, titled "Christ on the Cross," was found during an estate inventory in France in September 2024 and has now been confirmed as an authentic work by the famous Flemish painter.

French auctioneer Jean-Pierre Osenat made the remarkable discovery while conducting "the inventory and sale of a private villa" in September 2024, according to reports from Franceinfo. The painting, created by Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640), had been considered lost for roughly four centuries before its recent rediscovery. The authentication process was carried out by German art historian Nils Büttner, who is recognized as a leading expert on renowned Baroque painters, as reported by Deutschlandfunk.

The painting "Christ on the Cross" measures 70 x 100 centimeters (approximately 27.6 x 39.4 inches) and is scheduled to be offered for sale by auctioneer Jean-Pierre Osenat at the end of November. According to Osenat's statements to Franceinfo, the artwork is in "very good condition," which is remarkable given its age and long absence from the art world. Based on the painting's dimensions, the auctioneer believes it was originally intended for a private collector rather than for public display or religious institution.

The ownership history of the painting reveals an interesting journey through French artistic circles. The artwork previously belonged to William Bouguereau, a prominent academic painter from the 19th century known for his realistic genre paintings and mythological themes. Following Bouguereau's ownership, the painting passed into the possession of the owners of the Parisian mansion where it was ultimately discovered during the recent estate inventory.

This discovery adds to recent recoveries of significant artworks, including stolen Nazi-looted art that was recently discovered in Argentina. In that case, authorities initially faced denials from those responsible before the artwork was eventually turned over to proper authorities, highlighting the ongoing efforts to recover and authenticate lost masterpieces from various historical periods.