A Renaissance masterpiece by the 13^th century Italian painter Cimabue has been found in an elderly French woman’s kitchen.

Titled “Christ Mocked”, the 10 inch by 8 inch painting is expected to sell for between €4-6 million at an upcoming auction.

Stephane Pinta, a painting specialist with the Turquin gallery in Paris, said an auctioneer spotted the painting hanging above a hotplate for food while inspecting the woman’s house in Compiegne and suggested she bring it to experts for an evaluation.

Art experts say it is likely part of a larger diptych that Cimabue painted around 1280.

Two other panels are displayed at the Frick Collection in New York and the National Gallery in London.

The painting will go on sale on 21 October at the Acteon auction house north of Paris.