A fifth still life painting by the mysterious French Baroque master Lubin Baugin has been discovered and is set to be auctioned by Vichy Enchères, potentially marking one of the most significant art discoveries of recent years. The work, titled "Nature morte aux financiers" (Still Life with Financiers), is estimated to sell for between 200,000 and 300,000 euros, though experts believe it could fetch considerably more given its extraordinary rarity.

Until now, only four still life paintings by Lubin Baugin were known to exist, making this discovery particularly sensational for the art world. The painting emerged from an estate, where it had remained hidden and unrecognized for decades. Art historians are calling it a masterpiece that demonstrates Baugin's distinctive style and technical brilliance that made him one of the most enigmatic figures of French Baroque painting.

While Lubin Baugin's name may not be familiar to the general public, film enthusiasts might remember him from Alain Corneau's acclaimed 1991 historical drama "Tous les matins du monde" (All the Mornings of the World). In this unforgettable French film, celebrated for its aesthetic perfection, sensual beauty, and underlying tragedy, a still life painter appears as a supporting character who befriends the viola da gamba player Sainte-Colombe. The character, portrayed by Michel Bouquet, was based on the mysterious painter Baugin himself.

The film featured two of Baugin's authentic works - "Le dessert de gaufrettes" (The Wafer Dessert) and "Nature morte à l'échiquier" (Still Life with Chessboard) - which were not only shown in the movie but also recreated as part of the film's elaborate period sets. These paintings exemplify Baugin's extraordinary ability to capture the essence of objects with almost photographic precision while imbuing them with deeper symbolic meaning.

The art world is now watching closely to see whether the Louvre Museum will make a bid for this newly discovered treasure when it goes under the hammer in Vichy. Given the extreme rarity of Baugin's works and their cultural significance to French artistic heritage, museum officials are likely considering adding this piece to their prestigious collection. The auction represents a rare opportunity for collectors and institutions to acquire a work by an artist whose complete oeuvre remains tantalizingly small and mysterious.