An elderly woman in France thought a painting was nothing more than a nice icon.
But that painting ended up being a forgotten masterpiece by the 13th-century Italian painter Cimabue and was worth millions, The Associated Press reported.
The painting was discovered as an auctioneer took a look at the woman's home in northern France and told the woman to take it to experts.
The art experts said the painting called "Christ Mocked" was valued at $4.4 million to $6.6 million but it brought in so much more when it went on auction this past weekend, bringing in $26.6 million Sunday, the AP reported.
It was the first time a painting by Cimabue who is the father of the Renaissance, had ever gone on sale at auction.
It is believed that the painting is part of a diptych that Cimabue painted around 1280. Two other panels currently hang in the Frick Collection in New York and the National Gallery in London, according to the AP.
As for the unidentified woman, she will keep the majority of the money but no exact amount was reported by the AP.
Cox Media Group
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