World's Most Expensive Painting

The journey of the artwork known as 'Salvator Mundi', depicting Christ as "Savior of the World," is as captivating as its brushstrokes. Long considered a lost original or merely a copy by a follower, this oil painting on a walnut panel resurfaced in 2005 at an American estate sale, heavily overpainted and in poor condition, where it was acquired for a mere $1,175. Its history traces back to the collection of King Charles I of England in the 17th century, before it vanished for centuries. An extensive restoration by Dianne Modestini began in 2007, a meticulous process that gradually revealed what some experts believed to be the hand of Leonardo da Vinci.

The painting's unveiling in a 2011 exhibition at the National Gallery in London, attributed to Leonardo, ignited both excitement and scholarly debate. This culminated in its extraordinary sale at Christie's in New York in 2017, where it fetched over $450 million, becoming the most expensive painting ever sold. The buyer was reportedly Prince Badr bin Abdullah Al Saud, acting on behalf of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with intentions for display at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. However, the sale intensified the ongoing controversy regarding its full attribution to Leonardo.

Skeptics point to the painting's extensive restoration and certain stylistic inconsistencies, such as the transparent, non-refracting crystal orb held by Christ, which appears to lack the optical distortions a master like Leonardo, known for his scientific observations, might have depicted. While some prominent scholars unequivocally endorse its authenticity, others suggest Leonardo may have only contributed to parts of the work, or that it could be a workshop piece. This enduring scholarly disagreement, coupled with the painting's inconsistent public display since its record-breaking acquisition, continues to fuel fascination and discussion surrounding this enigmatic masterpiece.