Louvre acquires rare painting old woman found over stove

Louvre

This onetime piece of kitchen décor will soon hang in France’s most famous museum. 

The painted panel that an elderly French woman discovered above her hot plate back in 2019 has been obtained by the Musée du Louvre in Paris.

This is not the first brush that the painting — a medieval work by the Florentine artist Cimabue entitled “La Dérision du Christ,” which dates to approximately 1280 — has had with prestige since the world learned of its casual existence over a stove in the commune of Compiègne. Shortly after being unearthed, it sold for more than $25.8 million at auction, according to the Art Newspaper.

Following the petite wood piece’s auction, the French government prevented the painting being exported due to its significance to the country.

Subsequently, the culture ministry was given 30 months to get together enough money to purchase the rare work.

Also following the auction — just two days later — the woman in whose home the piece was discovered passed away.

She bequeathed the art to three heirs, the outlet reported.

And now, the piece has been acquired by one of the world’s most celebrated public collections.

The Louvre announced the addition of “La Dérision du Christ” this month alongside an announcement of another “national treasure,” that being a Victor Hugo drawing called “Marine Terrace” from 1855.

“Cimabue’s La Dérision du Christ constitutes a crucial milestone in the history of art, marking the fascinating transition from icon to painting,” Louvre director Laurence des Cars said in a statement, the Art Newspaper reported. “It will soon be presented alongside the Maestà [around 1275-1300], another masterpiece by Cimabue belonging to the Louvre and whose restoration is currently continuing. Brought together, the two paintings will be the subject of an exhibition in spring 2025. As for the sumptuous drawing Marine Terrace, in addition to its rare format, it is one of the most beautiful illustrations by Hugo the artist.

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