The Salvator Mundi, meaning “Savior of the World” in Latin, is a captivating portrait attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. It depicts Jesus Christ in a Renaissance robe, holding a crystal orb and raising his right hand in a gesture of blessing. While the painting’s exact creation date is unknown, experts believe it was done between 1499 and 1510.
The Salvator Mundi gained fame not only for its artistic merit but also for its astronomical price tag. In 2017, it shattered auction records when it was sold for a whopping $450.3 million to a Saudi businessman. This price tag has sparked debates about the artwork’s authenticity, with some experts questioning how much of the painting was actually completed by da Vinci himself. Despite the controversy, the Salvator Mundi remains a significant piece of art history, a testament to da Vinci’s genius and the enduring allure of religious iconography.
