There is only one painting by Leonardo da Vinci in private hands. Salvator Mundi, which means Savior of the World, is being auctioned off by Christie’s in New York and is expected to fetch quite a fortune.
Loic Gouzer of Christie’s said, “Salvator Mundi is a painting of the most iconic figure in the world by the most important artist of all time. The opportunity to bring this masterpiece to the market is an honour that comes around once in a lifetime.” A video is below that shows close up details of this historic painting. It highlights how obsessed da Vinci was with getting everything perfect.
The painting is creating quite a buzz as it is puzzling art historians. Leonardo da Vinci was known for his attention to detail. Yet, the orb that Christ is holding in this painting doesn’t distort light. Rather, the orb is see through.
NAPLES,ITALY – JANUARY 11: Napoli Opening Exhibition at Diocesan Museum of Donnaregina with “Salvator Mundi” by Leonardo Da Vinci from 12 January to 31 March. Image Credit: (Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images)
Da Vinci biographer Walter Isacson believes there are two logical reasons for this anomaly. He thinks da Vinci, “chose not to paint it that way, either because he thought it would be a distraction […] or because he was subtly trying to impart a miraculous quality to Christ and his orb.”
Both of those explanations seem very plausible. If the orb had reflected light, it likely would have taken some of the focus off Christ. Certainly, the Son of God also would have the ability to suppress distorted light.
This Renaissance painting is expected to sell for $100 million at auction. Sotheby’s sold it in 1958 for the equivalent of $59, as the painting’s authorship was forgotten at the time. An American businessman purchased Salvator Mundi at an auction 12 years ago for under $9,900. He began researching its history and realized that he actually owned an original da Vinci, the only one in private hands. Clearly, this was an investment of a lifetime!
Share this if you wish you had bought this famous painting for $59!
Source: Daily Mail
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