Salvator Mundi by Leonardo Da Vinci
- When Piece was Created: 1500
- Size: 45 x 65 cm
- Price at Auction: $450 Million
- Where Sold: Christie’s New York
- When Sold: 2017
- To WHOM: the winning buyer Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia
About 30 copies and variations of this plot are known, written by students and followers of Leonardo.
For a long time, the painting, which was considered to be a copy of a lost original that had been greatly altered by later layering, was discovered, restored and presented in 2011 at an exhibition of Leonardo’s works at London’s National Gallery.On the eve of the auction, the Christie’s auction house developed unprecedented activity, positioning the lot as the last work of Leonardo left in private hands.
Videos were posted on YouTube where such celebrities as Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lopez, and others view the picture. To see the canvas at the pre-sale show in New York, you had to stand in line for an hour.In order to attract the attention of the most affluent public, the work was moved from the section of old masters to the section of modern art, which had also not happened before.
According to the statement made after the auction, the picture was recognized as a genuine work by the majority of interviewed experts.
It was assumed that the picture would be exhibited in the new museum “Louvre Abu Dhabi”. Since then, the public has never seen the picture again.
In 2018, it was planned to be exhibited at the branch of the Louvre in the United Arab Emirates, but at the last moment the exhibition was canceled without explanation.
In 2019, a large-scale exhibition dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci opened in the Louvre. It took ten years to prepare her, it was expected that the Savior of the world would become her pearl.
The prince put forward a condition – the Louvre must exhibit “The Savior of the World” next to “Mona Lisa” and declare the picture “100% the work of Leonardo da Vinci.” Otherwise, he will not lend it to the exhibition. Despite long negotiations, the French government did not want to hang it there. There was even a small diplomatic conflict between France and Saudi Arabia.
The prince did not return the painting for the exhibition – in response, the government hid a report on the authenticity of the work and spread rumors that it was a forgery. Both parties have not officially confirmed anything
