A Renaissance masterpiece picture, hanging above an oven in a pensioner’s kitchen, has been sold for £20 million.
It was expected to fetch up to £5 million.
The price set a new world record for a medieval painting sold at auction.
The painting – “Christ Mocked” – is by Cimabue and was completed in 1280.
The owner had it hanging between her kitchen and living room, directly above a hotplate.
She thought it was just an old religious icon until it was seen by her local auctioneer in Compiegne, near Paris.
Cimabue painted eight pictures of Christ’s passion and crucifixion.
This painting is thought to be part of a diptych – one of two hinged pictures.
Two others from the series hang in the National Gallery in London.
Early Renaissance art was strongly influenced by Byzantine works.
Auctioneer Dominique Le Coent said:
“When a unique work of a painter as rare as Cimabue comes to market, you have to be ready for surprises.”
The auction was held in Senlis, north of Paris.
