More than 500 art enthusiasts and parishioners packed into Saint-Louis Church in Fontainebleau to witness a rare preview of a long-lost masterpiece by Flemish master Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640). The painting, titled "Christ on the Cross," created around 1614-1615, had vanished for 400 years before being discovered by chance in a Parisian mansion in 2024. The Osenat auction house organized the special presentation on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, before the work goes under the hammer on November 30 in Versailles.
"This painting moved me so deeply that I've been reconciled with the church," said Murielle, a local Fontainebleau resident who described herself as "a true rebel in religious matters, even a non-believer." Her emotional response reflected the profound impact the artwork had on many visitors who came to view the extraordinary discovery.
The authentication process proved challenging for experts from Paris to Antwerp, with the journey resembling a "stations of the cross" ordeal. Even Nils Büttner, one of the leading Rubens specialists, initially believed it was a copy. "This painting is the very justification of my profession as an auctioneer," said Jean-Pierre Osenat, who made the discovery. "It emanates incredible force and energy - when I saw it, it immediately clicked."
Catherine Polnecq, an art restorer and expert in scientific imagery, provided detailed explanations of her research and findings to the gathered audience. "X-rays, ultraviolet, and infrared imaging allow us to examine a work in depth without touching it," the expert explained. "This helps us understand the stages of creation, and for this canvas, imaging revealed the presence of underlying lines, pentimenti - modifications made by the artist during creation - and even later additions."
Polnecq's analysis revealed that Rubens placed only a few pencil strokes before painting his composition and significantly modified the position of Christ's body "to emphasize the suffering." She compared the canvas with other Rubens works, including "Bellerophon Slaying the Chimera" at the Louvre and "The Marriage of the Virgin" exhibited in Dunkirk. "We find the same sketches, the same brush strokes," she insisted, supporting her claims with photographic evidence.
Beyond the artistic energy the painting projects, Polnecq emphasized another crucial aspect: "It is extremely rare to discover a painting from this period in such a remarkable state of preservation." Évelyne, another visitor, didn't miss a word of the explanations. "I really love Rubens, and having the chance to discover a new work is incredible," she smiled. "It's also very moving to know that other hidden masterpieces could reappear someday!"
Father José Antonini, who worked to bring the painting to Fontainebleau, considered the event a great success. "I had the chance to see the painting, and my wish was that the people of Fontainebleau could also enjoy it, both for this exceptional artistic discovery and for the spiritual aspect, which bears witness to Rubens' faith," he said. The priest emphasized the dual significance of the presentation - both as an extraordinary artistic find and as a spiritual experience.
Security was tight for the valuable artwork, estimated at 1 to 2 million euros, though the final price could soar much higher. The painting was protected by bulletproof glass and surrounded by several security guards, while about ten police officers patrolled the surrounding area as a precautionary measure, following protocols established after incidents at the Louvre.
At the end of the presentation, the public was allowed to observe the canvas more closely and capture photographs of the historic moment. "His face and the precision of details really struck me," concluded Murielle. "Thanks to the experts' explanations, it helps us better understand Rubens' work. I believe this painting allowed me to rediscover a spiritual connection."
However, the residents of Fontainebleau and parishioners will have to preserve this ephemeral vision of the masterpiece in their memories. The canvas will be sold at auction in Versailles on November 30, and there is little chance that the Fontainebleau parish could compete with the expected bidding prices for this rediscovered treasure.
