$26 million-worth painting from the 1280s heads to Paris museum
What's the story
An ancient painting called "Christ Mocked," which was made by Florentine painter Cimabue, is finally heading over to the Louvre Museum, as declared by France's minister of culture, Rima Abdul Malak.
The 10-inch by eight-inch masterpiece will make its way to the museum's spring exhibition in 2025.
The ministry calls the painting "a crucial milestone in art history."
History
The painting was made way back in the 1280s
The reason this painting is considered to be of national importance is that it dates back to the 1280s and is a rare find.
It is among the only 15 artworks of Cimabue that are known.
According to CNN, the Ministry of Culture in France calls the painting "a crucial milestone in art history, marking the fascinating transition from icon to painting."
Information
About 'Christ Mocked'
"Christ Mocked" is one of the altarpieces comprising eight scenes centered on the passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and marked the inaugural auction of Cimabue's work, setting a world record for the sale of a pre-1500 piece, as confirmed by Acteon Auction House.
Price
The artwork almost fetched $26 million at an auction
The painting went under the hammer in October 2019, during which it was auctioned for a staggering $26 million (Rs. 2,16,00,00,000).
This price was four times more than its pre-sale estimate, CNN reports.
However, soon the French government assigned it the "national treasure" status, blocking all transactions and auctions related to it.
Consequently, it remained in the country for 30 long months.
Lost and found
Lost and found: Painting was found in a woman's kitchen
This gem of an artwork, which the French government calls a "national treasure," was found in an elderly woman's kitchen in 2019.
Turns out, the woman thought it was a Greek religious icon and had no clue as to where it came from, which is why she hung it in her kitchen.
Art specialists conducted some tests to be sure of its authenticity.
Money
The woman became a multi-millionaire overnight
According to USA Today, the old painting made the French woman a millionaire overnight as she received "a majority" of the auction money.
The auction house named Acteon Auction House was only expecting to garner $4.4 to $6.6 million, but to their surprise, it was auctioned to an anonymous buyer near Chantilly, north of Paris, for $26 million.