Leonardo da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi”: The Story Behind the Most Expensive Painting in the World

Leonardo da Vinci is arguably the most famous artist ever, with iconic paintings like the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. However, one of his more obscure masterpieces, Salvator Mundi (‘Savior of the World’ in Latin), in recent years has gained worldwide attention. This painting became the most expensive artwork in the world when it sold for 450.3 million dollars in 2017 at an auction at Christie’s. But what is so special about Salvator Mundi? What is Salvator Mundi? Salvator Mundi is a portrait of Christ, depicted as the savior of the world. In his left hand, he holds a crystal orb, representing the heavens, while with his right hand, he uplifts a finger in a propitious gesture of benediction. This rare painting, on walnut wood with oil, is dated back to circa 1500 when the High Renaissance was at its peak. Although today the painting is attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, its path throughout history has been filled with mystery and controversy.

Salvator Mundi: History and Re-Discovery

The Salvator Mundi had long been considered lost, but it re-emerged in the early 20th century. It was misattributed to one of da Vinci’s less important followers and only later, in 2005, was bought by the art dealers at a small auction for less than $10,000, thinking it was hardly worth anything. After years of painstaking restoration and care in detailed analysis, it began to dawn on the experts that the painting was much more than just a copy-an original Leonardo da Vinci.

In 2011, the painting was officially recognized to be an original of da Vinci’s, thus setting the scene for a record-breaking auction sale in six years. The rediscovery of Salvator Mundi has been celebrated as the greatest art find of the century.

Salvator Mundi in Leonardo da Vinci’s Oeuvre

While Leonardo da Vinci is best known for his work as an anatomist, engineer, and inventor, his artistic legacy serves as the only defining quality that seems to persist. Salvator Mundi is a powerful rendition of his mastery of light, shadow, and human emotion. Delicate features of Christ are rendered exquisitely, soft handling of hair, and transparent crystal orb-all hallmarks of Leonardo’s technique.

One of the most debated aspects of Salvator Mundi is its authenticity. Though several experts authenticated it, with some art historians insisting parts were completed by workshop assistants and not by the master’s hand, this only adds to the mystique of the painting.

Record-Breaking Sale and Its Controversy

In 2017, Salvator Mundi made worldwide headlines when it sold at a Christie’s auction for the astonishing amount of $450.3 million, making it the most expensive painting ever sold. Subsequent reports later revealed that the mystery buyer was none other than Prince Badr bin Abdullah acting on behalf of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The sale brought a great deal of debate over the astronomical price and the eventual fate of the painting. It was reported for the first time that Salvator Mundi would appear in the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Up to 2024, however, the whereabouts of the painting remain totally unknown with so much speculation and intrigue.

Why Salvator Mundi Matters Today

The fascination with Salvator Mundi apart from the art is the questions it brings to the table: about art, value, and legacy. Of course, in a world where contemporary art so often leads the charge within the market, the fact that a 500-year-old painting could spearhead such attention to it, accompanied by a price tag never before seen, said much about Leonardo da Vinci’s enduring appeal.

The painting is also a reminder of the strength of rediscovery. Long believed to be lost, Salvator Mundi appeared from obscurity into one of the most talked-about works of art in the 21st century. From an unconsidered auction piece to becoming the world’s most expensive painting, the journey is as remarkable as the man who authored it.