This small panel depicting the Mocking of Christ by Cenni di Peppo, known as Cimabue, was sold by the Parisian auction house Actéon for €24.1 million on 27 Oct 19, four times its high estimate. Although most major museums expressed interest, the late 13th-century painting was purchased by a dealer, probably acting on behalf of a client. The picture was sold by an elderly French woman, who was unaware of its value until last month. The picture is now the 8th most expensive old master painting sold at auction.
Only 10 works are securely attributed to the Florentine master, whom Vasari describes as the teacher of Giotto. This small panel was part of a predella, which was dismembered. The Frick Collection and the National Gallery of Art (London) own other pieces of the same predella.
