The old woman lived for many years in the suburbs of Paris and one day she was about to move. To sell furniture, an employee of the auction house was invited. She accidentally drew attention to an old icon measuring 20 by 26 cm, which hung over the stove for many years. When experts checked the icon Derision of Christ, it turned out to be the masterpiece of the 13th-century Florentine painter Cimabue.

The painting was put up for auction by Actaeon and planned to sell for six million dollars. But during the auction, this price was exceeded four times! The total amount was almost $27 million. Art critics believe that “The Mockery of Christ” is part of a polyptych of 8 works. The boards were located on two wings, four on each side. The painting was purchased by art dealer Fabrizio Moretti for an anonymous buyer. He admitted that he almost cried when he held this unique thing in his hands, since it can be considered the beginning of all modern art.

The master painted on poplar boards, only 11 of his woodworks have come down to us. Most of them are kept in Florence, including the Uffizi Gallery. The characteristic features of the artist are a golden background, symbolizing divine light, increased realism for that period and the appearance of three-dimensional space. The transition to a new art was even more clearly reflected in the work of Giotto, who was a student of Cimabue. The sold painting was the only work of Cimabue exhibited at the auction. She now holds the record as the most expensive piece written before 1500.