The most expensive painting in the world ($ 450 million) is not Leonardo da Vinci? | The art and literature

Instead, Salvatore Mundi (“Redeemer of the World”) was painted “with the permission or supervision” of the famous Italian, for example in his workshop, the Prado Museum in Madrid wrote in a pamphlet accompanying the Leonardo exhibition and a copy of the “Mona Lisa”.

The curtain was unveiled on Thursday The door of the art newspaper And it will likely significantly affect the price of the painting in the subsequent sale. Whether the paint streaks come from Da Vinci’s hand or one of his “employees” makes a huge difference.

This news fits with the discussion that has gone on for some time about the origin of the piece. The statue of Jesus Christ was still considered a third-class work from da Vinci’s workshop in 1958 and attributed to one of his assistants. The car sold for just 45 pounds (53 euros) at an auction at Old Masters. However, in 2005-2006 the work was restored (there is still a sketch under the thick layer of paint) and then it was officially awarded to Leonardo da Vinci.

In 2017, the painting was sold for an astronomical sum of $450 million to Saudi Prince and Culture Minister Badr bin Abdullah, the front man to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Christie’s called this work “the masculine Mona Lisa” and “the greatest artistic rediscovery of the past 100 years”. It was rumored that the painting was then hung on Sirene, the Saudi crown prince’s luxury yacht. Now the place of work is unknown.

While some experts later questioned aloud whether “Salvator Mundi” was really by da Vinci, the Prado’s graffiti is the most important note for a major museum since auctioning the work in 2017. “It is hoped that in the future it will be shown again and can be Analyze it again with greater objectivity.”