A remarkable discovery in Paris. A lost Rubens painting waited 400 years to be found.

A long-lost painting by Rubens, one of the greatest painters of the Baroque era, has been discovered in a Parisian residence. The painting is from a stolen property and is scheduled to go up for auction this fall.

The hearts of art and baroque lovers have just started beating faster.

A missing painting by Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens has been discovered in Paris, according to French news agency AFP . The painting, which depicts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, is set to be auctioned this fall.

“Christ on the Cross,” from 1613, was discovered last September by auction house owner Jean-Pierre Osenat , while preparing to sell a private property in the city’s 6th arrondissement.

According to Osenat, discovering the forgotten work, measuring 105.5 by 72.5 centimeters, is a great discovery for art history .

Importantly, Jean-Pierre Osenat reported that the authenticity of the painting was confirmed by the German curator and art historian Nils Büttner , who has been the chairman of the Rubenianum Centre in Antwerp , Belgium , since 2021.

The work of art underwent a series of tests, such as X-ray imaging and pigment analysis .

The auctioneer calls "Christ on the Cross" a true confession of faith, and the painting takes up one of Rubens's favorite themes as a Protestant who converted to Catholicism.

"This is the very beginning of Baroque painting, depicting the crucified Christ , alone, shining and emerging clearly against the background of a dark and threatening sky," Osenat told AFP .

Rubens created many works for the Church , yet "Christ on the Cross" was most likely commissioned by a private collector.

Before the canvas reached the owners of the residence where it was found, it was most likely owned by the 19th-century French academic painter William-Adolphe Bouguereau .

What will happen to the painting next? It will soon find a new owner. On November 30, the Rubens work will be auctioned at Osenat's auction house in Fontainebleau , France .

The company will provide more details, including an estimate and more specific information about the image, closer to the event.