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The mystery of Salvador Mundi: Leonardo da Vinci's controversial work

The Salvador Mundi, attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, is considered to be one of the most mysterious and controversial paintings in the history of art. Since its rediscovery in 2005, this work has raised many questions about its author, history and value.

A surprising rediscovery

The Salvador Mundi painting was discovered in a very deteriorated state at a regional auction in the United States in 2005. Art experts then undertook a lengthy restoration in an attempt to recover the original splendour of this painting depicting Christ as the saviour of the world.

After several years of painstaking work, Salvador Mundi was presented to the public at a exhibition in London in 2011. At the time, specialists were divided over the attribution of this work to Leonardo da Vinci, with some believing that it could be the work of a pupil or collaborator in the Italian master's workshop.

Disturbing clues

Several elements led the experts to consider attributing the Salvador Mundi to Leonardo da Vinci. Firstly, the presence of spolvero, a technique for transferring drawings onto canvas, was frequently used by Leonardo da Vinci. There are also stylistic similarities with other works by the master, such as La Vierge aux rochers and La Belle Ferronnière. Finally, the dating of the wood in the painting seems to correspond to the period when Leonardo da Vinci was working in Milan.

However, certain details have sown doubts in the minds of specialists. The uneven quality of the painting, a general composition deemed less innovative than that of other paintings by Leonardo da Vinci and a cruel lack of documentation concerning this so-called "Cook" version prompt caution in attributing this version of the Salvador Mundi to the master.

A chequered career

The history of this painting is littered with mysteries and twists and turns. We know that the work was commissioned by Louis XII of France at the beginning of the 16th century and that it passed through the hands of several collectors before disappearing in the 18th century.

The different versions

Many versions of the Salvador Mundi exist, further complicating its attribution to a specific author. Among them, a copy attributed to Boltraffio, a pupil of Leonardo da Vinci, is kept at the Ospedaletto museum in Naples. Other copies are in the National Gallery in London, the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg and the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.

An uncertain provenance

The Salvador Mundi rediscovered in 2005 was sold at auction for a record $450 million in 2017. Reportedly the property of a Saudi prince, the painting was then said to have been offered to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmane, who in turn offered it to the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

But since then, the painting seems to have disappeared, fuelling speculation about its current location and the reasons for its absence. Some point to diplomatic tensions between France and Saudi Arabia, while others believe the painting is simply being kept in a secret location pending a new exhibition.

An object of fascination

Despite the controversies surrounding its attribution and journey, Salvador Mundi continues to intrigue and fascinate art lovers the world over. Indeed, this work raises essential questions about the history of art, the value of works and the importance placed on their author.

The question of authenticity

The Salvador Mundi affair also raises questions about the very notion of authenticity in art. Can a work created by a pupil or collaborator of Leonardo da Vinci be considered less important or less interesting than a work created by the master himself? What part does the workshop play in the creation of such a work? So many questions that remain unanswered and fuel the debates around Salvador Mundi.

The fascination with Leonardo da Vinci

Finally, this story bears witness to the enduring fascination with Leonardo da Vinci, considered to be one of the greatest creative geniuses of all time. His life and work continue to be studied and analysed, while each of his discoveries generates unprecedented excitement. The mystery surrounding the Salvador Mundi only reinforces this myth and fuels the curiosity of art lovers.

This artwork is a painting from the renaissance period. It belongs to the italian renaissance style.

« Salvator Mundi » is kept at Private Collection .

Find the full description of Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci on Wikipedia.