Salvator Mundi (Latin for “Savior of the World”) is a painting thought to have been painted by Leonardo da Vinci circa 1500. It was sold in 2017 for $450 million. Research suggests that some elements of the current composition were not part of the original creation by Leonardo. They believe that the initial painting included only Jesus’s head and shoulders and that the hands and arms were added later. Additionally, the refraction of the light on the glass orb has become a much-contested element of the work. The painting was supposed to be displayed at the Louvre Abu Dhabi in September 2018 but has remained hidden from the public since its sale.
By Alyssa Kent
Sources:
Davis, Marks. “New Research Suggests ‘Salvator Mundi’ Originally Looked Completely Different.” Smithsonian Magazine (4 February 2021). https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/new-research-suggests-portions-salvator-mundi-were-not-part-leonardo-da-vincis-original-design-180976914/ [accessed 11 May 2021].
Cole, Alison. “Disarming new findings on Leonardo’s Salvator Mundi.” The Art Newspaper (26 January 2021). https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/disarming-new-findings-on-leonardos-salvator-mundi/ [accessed 12 May 2021].