The Louvre Museum got a 13th-century painting called "Christ Mocked" by Cimabue after it was found in a 90-year-old woman's kitchen. The small artwork, now a French "national treasure," went unnoticed for years before experts saw its value.
The owner, in her 90s, didn't know its origin and almost threw it away four years ago. Luckily, experts recognized its uniqueness, thinking it could be worth a lot. Cimabue, believed to be Giotto's teacher, made only about 15 known works, making this find rare.
Art specialist Eric Turquin authenticated the painting, and in 2019, it sold for $26.8 million, becoming a "national treasure." The Louvre had 30 months to raise funds, succeeding recently. The original owner passed away, and the Louvre will exhibit the painting with another Cimabue piece next spring.
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