Where is the world's most expensive painting?

According to The Art Newspaper, the story of “Salvator Mundi” and the whereabouts of this masterpiece is one of the greatest mysteries in the contemporary art world. Any information regarding the fate and location of the painting is sought after.

The masterpiece "Salvator Mundi" was once auctioned for more than 450 million USD, the most expensive in the world, but its whereabouts are currently unknown. Photo: TL

"Salvator Mundi" was purchased by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for $450.3 million (including taxes and fees) at Christie's auction in November 2017, 4.5 times higher than the estimated price.

According to a Times investigation, the painting was taken to Zurich, Switzerland, in the fall of 2018 for appraisal by an insurance company. However, the activity was canceled without reason.

In 2019, the Louvre Museum (Paris, France) planned to hold an exhibition of the painting. Then the museum announced an indefinite postponement. The staff here said "the current location of the famous painting is not determined".

Bloomberg later reported that the painting was stored on Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's yacht off the coast of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, until the cultural center under construction in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia, was inaugurated.

"Hiding such a masterpiece is unfair to art lovers around the world," said Dianne Modestini, a professor of fine arts at New York University who has restored paintings.

Created by Leonardo da Vinci around 1500, the work depicts Jesus dressed in a classic blue robe, making the sign of the cross with his right hand and holding a transparent crystal ball in his left hand - symbolizing the "celestial sphere" of the heavens. Alan Wintermute, Christie's senior specialist in pre-19th century art, compared the work to the discovery of a new planet.

"The Salvator Mundi painting is the Holy Grail of pre-19th century masters. It's like a mystical dream, unattainable until now," he said.

The painting was once part of the collection of King Charles I of England. After many historical events, the work reappeared in 19th century England, in a state of severe damage.

Salvator Mundi was lost for centuries, passing through many hands. According to Artnews, it was painted between 1506 and 1513 under the patronage of King Louis XII of France. In the 17th century, the work was in the collection of King Charles I of England and hung in the private room of his wife, Queen Henrietta Maria. Later, the painting was owned by their son, King Charles II.

The painting next appeared in 1763, when Charles Herbert Sheffield - the illegitimate son of John Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham - ordered the auction of the works of art after the sale of Buckingham Palace to King George III. The painting was placed in a gilded frame.

The work then disappeared for 140 years, until 1900, when collector Francis Cook bought it from Sir John Charles Robinson. The painting was damaged and was attributed to Leonardo's pupil Bernardino Luini.

The painting was included in the Cook Collection at the Doughty House Gallery in Richmond, London. In 1958, it was sold at Sotheby's for £45. In 2005, it was purchased by a group of American collectors at a New Orleans auction gallery for $1,175.

In 2011, the work was featured in an exhibition about Leonardo at the National Gallery in London. Two years later, Sotheby's sold it privately to art dealer Yves Bouvier for $80 million. Bouvier then sold it to Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev for $127.5 million.

At Christie's New York in 2017, the painting was purchased by Prince Bader bin Abdullah for a record $450.3 million. The Wall Street Journal later cited US intelligence as saying that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was the real owner of the painting. Bader was only bidding on his behalf.

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/kiet-tac-hoi-hoa-dat-gia-nhat-the-gioi-dang-o-dau-post310205.html