An auctioneer’s routine visit in rural Touraine uncovers a 19th‑century treasure that could fetch $330,000 at the block.
A French family just discovered they have been hosting a Romantic‑era masterpiece in their living room for generations. During a recent appraisal, auctioneer Malo de Lussac identified their oil‑on‑canvas Study of Reclining Lions as an original work by Eugène Delacroix, the influential painter behind Liberty Leading the People.
Auction discovery highlights hidden masterpieces lingering in everyday family homes
The 24‑by‑20‑inch canvas shows seven muscular lions resting in deep ochres and browns, six rendered in full detail and one sketched in outline. “Its magnetism was immediate,” de Lussac said, recalling the moment he spotted the piece. The family, owners since the mid‑1800s, never imagined the painting’s true pedigree—have you ever glanced at a wall and wondered what secrets it keeps? Below, a fast facts on Study of Reclining Lions:
Detail | Information |
---|---|
Artist | Eugène Delacroix (1798‑1863) |
Medium | Oil on canvas |
Size | 24 × 20 inches |
Estimated value | Up to $330,000 |
Auction date | March 28 at Hôtel Drouot, Paris |
Distinctive marks | Wax seal from 1864 studio sale |
What makes Delacroix’s lounging lions a coveted prize for collectors today
Delacroix’s fascination with “wild beasts” led him to the Jardin des Plantes menagerie, where he sketched live lions and even attended dissections to capture their anatomy. Those studies informed his dramatic Lion Hunt series and smaller works like the newly found study. Because most Delacroix animal scenes reside in museums, a privately held piece stirs intense buyer interest—especially one backed by clear provenance.
- 1973 certificate from collector Pierre Dieterle
- 1966 letter by Delacroix scholar Lee Johnson
- Studio wax seal confirming inclusion in the 1864 posthumous sale
- Continuous family ownership for roughly 170 years
Pretty solid paper trail, right?
Authentication trail from wax seals to expert letters confirms painting’s pedigree
Provenance matters. The documents above, alongside stylistic analysis, leave little doubt about authenticity. Past successes also boost confidence: in 2023 de Lussac uncovered a Pieter Brueghel the Younger work that sold for roughly $850,000. Could lightning strike twice for the seasoned auctioneer?
Hôtel Drouot has placed the lion study on public view until the March 28 sale. If bidding meets expectations, the family will gain a life‑changing windfall—and art lovers may see a rare Delacroix return to the spotlight. Thinking of rummaging through your attic yet?