Art work found in the kitchen breaks record at auction

Christ Mocked of the painter Cimabue was discovered last month in northern France.

The painting was expected to be sold for 6m euros at auction. But the winning bid far exceeded expectations.

Acteon Action House said the amount, paid by an anonymous buyer from northern France, was a new world record for a medieval painting sold at auction.

“When a unique job of a painter as rare as Cimabue comes to the market, you should be ready for surprises,” said auction director Dominic Le Coent for Reuters news agency.

For years the painting remained hanging on a wall plate in a kitchen in Compiegne City.

The work of art was observed by an auctioner who advised its owner to appreciate it by experts.

The owner believed that it was an old religious icon of little value.