The world’s most expensive painting has not been seen publicly since it was sold at Christie’s in 2017. A new BBC report claims it could be stored in Geneva and could soon be seen again.
Attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, the Renaissance painting ‘Salvator Mundi’ (Savior of the World) became the work of art most expensive ever sold at an auction when it reached $450 million (€406 million) at Christie’s auction house in 2017. Since then, the oil painting depicting Jesus Christ has not been seen in public.
A new BBC report claims that – despite rumors that it was kept on a yacht – the elusive work has been stored in the Swiss city of Geneva since it was acquired by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), and could soon be on its way to the Gulf.
According to the report, MBS plans to turn ‘Salvator Mundi’ into the centerpiece of a future museum in Riyadh. Bernard Haykel, professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University and friend of MBS, quotes the Saudi crown prince in the BBC article as saying: “I want to build a very big museum in Riyadh. And I want an anchor object that attract people, like the Mona Lisa does.
BBC journalist Jonathan Rugman writes that the crown prince’s purchase of the Salvator Mundi was part of an effort to modernize Saudi Arabia. “MBS’s purchase of a famous painting in 2017 tells us a lot about how he thinks, and about his willingness to take risks, without fear of clashing with the religiously conservative society he governs,” says Rugman. “And, above all, that is determined to overcome Occidente with striking displays of power”.
The attribution of the ‘Salvator Mundi’ to Leonardo da Vinci has sparked heated debate in the artistic community. While some experts believe it is his work, others maintain that The style of the painting does not entirely correspond to Leonardo’s known works.especially in regards to the proportions and facial features of the figure. Adding to the controversy is the exhaustive restoration to which it has been subjected.
