A remarkable 17th-century oil painting by Flemish master Peter Paul Rubens has been discovered in a private townhouse in Paris's 6th arrondissement, marking one of the most significant art discoveries in recent years. The painting, dating from 1614-1615, was found by auctioneer Jean-Pierre Osenat from Fontainebleau and authenticated after months of rigorous analysis by international experts.

"When I first saw it, I had an emotional and artistic shock. This is a painting that radiates incredible power," said Jean-Pierre Osenat, still jubilant when recalling the moment he first encountered the work. The discovery, which occurred almost exactly one year ago, transformed what began as a routine furniture appraisal into a once-in-a-lifetime find that experts had long believed was lost forever.

The story began in September 2024 when friends who owned a private mansion commissioned Osenat to sell their furniture collection. Among the various pieces of furniture, art objects, and paintings throughout the house, the auctioneer's attention was immediately drawn to a painting hanging beside a bed in one of the bedrooms. "It had been in this family for years, without them knowing it was a Rubens," Osenat explained. "But who could have suspected? It took months to authenticate it."

The authentication process proved to be a true journey of discovery, taking the painting from Paris to Antwerp and finally to Fontainebleau. The work underwent extensive scientific analysis, including pigment analysis, chemical testing, and radiography. Experts were able to rely on an existing engraving of the work to support their investigation, as engravings were historically used to promote artists and disseminate images of major works.

The crucial moment of authentication came when Nils Büttner, a specialist in Flemish and Dutch art and president of the Rubens research committee, confirmed the painting's authenticity. Osenat recalled the dramatic phone call he received while waiting in Rubens' garden in Antwerp last June: "He called me on my cell phone and said, 'Jean-Pierre, we have a new Rubens!'"

"Engravings were a way to spread the image and promote an artist; they were somewhat like the photocopies of that era," explained Jean-Christophe Chataignier, associate at the Osenat auction house. "However, engravings were only made from major works." This historical documentation proved crucial in establishing the painting's provenance and authenticity.

While the painting's trail goes cold shortly after its creation, historical records show it later belonged to painter William Bouguereau (1825-1905) before passing to the current owners of the townhouse. However, uncertainty remains about whether the 19th-century academic painter knew he was purchasing a genuine Rubens when he acquired the work.

The painting itself is described as a baroque masterpiece depicting Christ crucified, isolated against the backdrop of Golgotha and set against a threatening sky darkened by a solar eclipse. Measuring 105.5 cm by 72.5 cm, the oil-on-panel work represents what Osenat calls "an extremely rare and totally unprecedented discovery."

The Osenat auction house will put the painting up for sale on Sunday, November 30, 2025, with an estimated value between 1 and 2 million euros. However, experts acknowledge that there are no comparable references for estimating such a masterpiece, making the final sale price highly unpredictable.

For the veteran auctioneer, this discovery represents a career-defining moment, though he maintains his appetite for future finds. "This isn't over; I still want to discover a van Gogh or a da Vinci," he smiled. "But one thing is certain, this will mark my career: I have a heavy responsibility on my shoulders!"

The final venue for the sale remains undecided, with options including Fontainebleau, Versailles, or Paris. According to Dutch experts, Versailles currently holds the advantage, though the painting will be exhibited in Fontainebleau regardless of the final sale location. This discovery adds to a series of remarkable finds by the Osenat auction house, which has previously made headlines with unexpected discoveries including a Chinese vase estimated at 1,000 euros that sold for over 9 million euros.