History of the Salvator Mundi
salvatormundirevisited.comI worked at an art-tech company when the Salvator Mundi went on sale. It was one of the most exciting things in to happen in the art world during the 3 years I worked there. I got to go on a tour of the viewing room at Christie's to see the painting and learn about its history. I have no idea how to evaluate the claims of its attribution, but it's definitely a great story, no matter what. Hopefully it will go on exhibition again soon.
Michael Lewis has a great episode about this on his podcast Against the Rules:
What an incredible irony that the world’s most regressive Islamic government buys a painting of Jesus by one of the world’s most famous artists; and that same government rules that, according to Islamic jurisprudence, a similar depiction of Mohammed would be a high crime worthy of severe punishment.
There are no laws against depicting Muhammad in Saudi Arabia. Muslims frown upon depictions of prophets (including Jesus) because of its tendency to result in idolatry, but there is nothing criminal or illegal about it.
There was a DW documentary that I can't find now, which stated that art is a tax and dirty money shelter. Not sure if this was the case for buying a painting that 4(?) years ago was sold for ~130M and was now sold for ~500M.
It might be this one? Secluded treasures & tax incentives - The freeport system https://youtu.be/5bIGd3jcrS4
Thank you - that's exactly the one.
If it's on sale, it's on sale!
Do people really belief that this is from Leonardo? It is so much unlike and I would say, forgive me, inferior compared to his uncontested works.
The Salvator Mundi definitely seems inferior. There's something very unnatural about the right hand. I can't get my hand in that position and I'm not disabled. The glass orb in the left hand doesn't seem to refract any light at all—I can't imagine as scientifically minded of a painter as Leonardo settling for this. And the eyes...it just has this derpy look
Matthew Landrus and other art historians argue it came from Leonardo's workshop and Leonardo may have contributed some of the brush strokes—I have no problem believing that. But I just don't see this as a Leonardo
I highly recommend the documentary "The Lost Leonardo" referenced in the article:
Hito Steyerl has a nice talk on XR technology that starts with this work. (talk starts at about 6:30) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1Qhy0_PCjs
> Condition & Restoration
> [Regarding the eyes] After many attempts over a period of several months I reached a reasonably satisfactory result by doing as little as possible.
:)
This is an incredibly detailed study. Especially the x-ray imaging showing a San Giovanni outline on the back.
I need to reread all of it once more!