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Mystery Masterpiece Shatters Art Auction Records
30 Oct
Summary
- Painting bought for $1,175 in 2005, later sold for $450.3 million.
- Its attribution to Leonardo da Vinci remains a subject of debate.
- The painting's current whereabouts are unconfirmed since 2018.
Acquired for $1,175 in 2005, a painting later identified as 'Salvator Mundi' achieved an astonishing $450.3 million at auction in November 2017, becoming the most expensive artwork ever sold. The work, depicting Christ, has a documented history tracing back to King Charles I of England but vanished from public view for extended periods.
Following its 2005 purchase, the painting underwent significant restoration, revealing details obscured by time and previous treatments. Experts then began extensive research, leading to its inclusion in a 2011 Leonardo da Vinci exhibition, which significantly boosted its perceived value and facilitated its journey to a record-breaking sale.
Despite its record price, the authorship of 'Salvator Mundi' remains a contentious issue among specialists, with debates focusing on whether Leonardo da Vinci himself or his workshop created the piece. Its planned public display at the Louvre Abu Dhabi in September 2018 was postponed, and its current location, rumored to be in secure storage, remains unconfirmed as of October 2026.
