Salvator Mundi

One of the most fascinating stories in art history surrounds Salvator Mundi.

This is a painting attributed in whole or part to the artist Leonardo da Vinci. Long thought to be a copy of a lost original veiled with overpainting, it was rediscovered, restored, and included in an exhibition of Leonardo's work at the National Gallery, London, in 2011–2012.

The painting, depicting Christ holding a crystal orb, was long believed to be a copy and was sold in 1958 for just £45. Decades later, after extensive restoration and scholarly debate, it was reattributed to Leonardo.

In 2017, it was sold at Christie’s New York for an astonishing $450.3 million, becoming the most expensive artwork ever sold at auction.

But the intrigue doesn’t stop there. Questions about its authorship, restoration, and condition continue to divide experts. Some scholars fully support the attribution to Leonardo, while others argue it may have been largely executed by his workshop.

Adding to the mystery, the painting largely disappeared from public view after the sale. It was reportedly acquired by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and its current public status remains uncertain — fueling one of the greatest art-world mysteries of the 21st century.