A painting by Flemish Baroque artist Peter Paul Rubens that had been out of the public eye for centuries has sold for 2.3 million euros ($2.7 million) at an auction in Paris.

Rubens painted “Christ on the Cross” around 1620-1625, but it was only recently rediscovered at a mansion in the French capital before going under the hammer on Sunday, auction house Osenat said in a statement Monday.

The painting measures 105.5 by 73.5 centimeters (41.5 by 28.9 inches) and “is in a generally good state of preservation,” according to the listing.

It was acquired by French painter William-Adolphe Bouguereau, who lived from 1825 to 1905, and had remained in the family home in Paris until his descendants recently decided to sell it, Osenat said.

A view of the auction house as the painting went unde

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