The most costly artwork in global art circles. - The painting, the wealth, and the royalty, whereabouts of Leonardo da Vinci's "Salvator Mondo"?
Questionable Origins of the Billion-Dollar Masterpiece
The painting in question, often debated as to its true creator, is the infamously expensive "Salvator Mundi". Is it genuinely a Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece, or did artists from his workshop contribute to its creation? Or did he have no part in it at all? Until further evidence surfaces, we'll never know for sure. Art, as we know, is subjective and open to interpretation. And "Salvator Mundi" certainly holds the title of the most expensive painting ever sold, going for $400 million at Christie's in London in 2017, with additional fees and taxes bringing the grand total to around $450 million.
Hidden Treasure in Geneva
Recently, a BBC documentary cited a professor allegedly close to the Saudi crown prince, claiming that the valuable piece is being stored in a duty-free warehouse in Geneva. It seems to be awaiting the completion of a giant museum in Riyadh, where it could potentially draw in crowds similar to the "Mona Lisa" at the Louvre in Paris.
Dubious Acquisition
Regrettably, the facts surrounding the painting's acquisition are murky. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has long been rumored to have bought the painting via an intermediary. During its brief stint at the Louvre in Paris in 2019, it was reported that he demanded it be displayed alongside the "Mona Lisa". However, the French museum declined his request.
From Dollars to Billions
Despite Paris's refusal, the painting's trajectory has been nothing short of extraordinary. Originally sold for a mere $45, its history and potential remained a mystery. Even as late as 2005, it was traded for just $1,175. The original painting was heavily overpainted and barely resembled the masterpiece it is today. Its subject even had a mustache. The entire piece appeared to be nothing more than a suitable decoration for a used car lot.
But then, through a prophetic dealer, it fell into the hands of renowned New York restorer Dianne Modestini. This meeting would prove to be life-altering for both Modestini and the painting. "I had a connection with Salvator Mundi," Modestini claimed in interviews. And she went on to say that the painting had a relationship with her as well. Imagine her painstakingly removing the layers of ignorant additions that had been applied to the face of the Christ figure. Five years passed as she worked on the painting, her passion and determination unwavering. Towards the end, she stumbled upon the solution: she placed a close-up of the Mona Lisa's mouth from a book next to the restoration object. Suddenly, she was convinced that it was indeed a Leonardo Da Vinci masterpiece.
Doubt Persists
Whether she's right or not, the evidence remains inconclusive. Some believe the expensive painting is a testament to Modestini's restorative abilities, while others argue that she may have simply unearthed a hidden Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece. Regardless, it's an intriguing tale. The warehouse in Geneva, well-guarded and equipped with climate control technology, has long been the subject of suspicion and speculation, as has the crown prince's luxury yacht. One thing seems clear: the 500-year-old painting's story is far from over, even if it's currently out of sight.
The BBC documentary also reported that the professor claimed the painting was being kept in a duty-free warehouse in Geneva, owned by the Saudi royal family. The BBC programme also highlighted the controversies surrounding the painting's acquisition, with speculations that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bought it through an intermediary.
