Recently discovered masterpiece by baroque artist Artemisia Gentileschi set to be auctioned

A recently discovered painting by 17th century Italian artist Artemisia Gentileschi is planned to go to auction within the next few weeks, a rarity as her works almost never come to private market.

Entitled Lucretia, the canvas depicts an ancient noblewoman named Lucretia who took her own life after she was raped. The painting shows Lucretia bare-chested with her head thrown back in despair, a knife aimed at her heart.

Eric Turquin, the founder of a leading European art auctioneer firm that specializes in paintings before 1800, told the Guardian the piece is “worthy of the great museums of the world” and “comes to us in an exceptional state of conservation.”

Lucretia was originally found in a French private collection where it was stored for 40 years, unrecognized for its immense value.

The estimated sale price for the painting is between €600,000 and €800,000 (roughly $660,000 to $880,000) and will be auctioned at the french Artcurial auction house, according to The Local.

As one of the few well-known female painters of the post-Caravaggio era, Gentileschi’s work is celebrated for its masterful use of light and contrast.

Her painting Self-Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria was sold for €2.8 million at a Paris auction in 2017, resulting in the highest bid received for her work.

Many art historians believe that Lucretia is auto-biographical, as Gentileschi was also raped by a painter who worked with her father named Agostino Tassi. In an excruciating and highly publicized trial, Gentileschi testified against Tassi and he was convicted in 1612 before his verdict was later annulled one year later.

As renewed interest in Gentileschi’s work continues, the National Gallery in London prepares the first major exhibition of her work next year, with 35 of her works featured in the British gallery.

Becca Most