The Record-Breaking Sale of Leonardo da Vinci’s "Salvator Mundi"

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The Record-Breaking Sale of Leonardo da Vinci’s "Salvator Mundi"

In November 2017, the art world was left in awe when Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi sold for a staggering $450.3 million at Christie’s auction house in New York.

Lila Reed

March 14, 2025

4Min Reads

109

Lifestyle

Image courtesy of financialtimes

Lot no.: 9B
Size: 65.7 x 45.7cm
Provenance:

(Possibly) Commissioned after 1500 by King Louis XII of France (1462-1515) and his wife, Anne of Brittany (1477-1514), following the conquest of Milan and Genoa, and possibly by descent to
Henrietta Maria of France (1609-1669), by whom possibly brought to England in 1625 upon her marriage to
King Charles I of England (1600-1649), Greenwich; Commonwealth Sale, as ‘A peece of Christ done by Leonardo at 30- 00- 00’, presented, 23 October 1651, as part of the Sixth Dividend to
Captain John Stone (1620-1667), leader of the Sixth Dividend of creditors, until 1660, when it was returned with other works upon the Restoration to
King Charles II of England (1630-1685), Whitehall, and probably by inheritance to his brother
King James II of England (1633-1701), Whitehall, from which probably removed by
Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester (1657-1717), or her future son-in-law, John Sheffield, 1st Duke of Buckingham and Normanby (1648-1721), and probably by descent to his illegitimate son
Sir Charles Herbert Sheffield, 1st Bt. (c. 1706-1774); John Prestage, London, 24 February 1763, lot 53, as ‘L. Da. Vinci A head of our Saviour’ (£2.10).
Sir [John] Charles Robinson (1824-1913), as Bernardino Luini; by whom sold in 1900 to
Sir Francis Cook, 1st Bt. (1817-1901), Doughty House, Richmond, and by descent through
Sir Frederick [Lucas] Cook, 2nd Bt. (1844-1920), Doughty House, Richmond, and
Sir Herbert [Frederick] Cook, 3rd Bt. (1868-1939), Doughty House, Richmond, as ‘Free copy after Boltraffio’ and later ‘Milanese School’, to
Sir Francis [Ferdinand Maurice] Cook, 4th Bt. (1907-1978); his sale, Sotheby’s, London, 25 June 1958, lot 40, as ‘Boltraffio’ (£45 to Kuntz).
Private collection, United States.
Robert Simon, New York.
Private sale; Sotheby’s, New York.
Acquired from the above by the present owner.

Estimate: US$100,000,000
Hammer price: US$400,000,000
Price realized: US$450,312,500

Auction house: Christie’s New York
Sale: Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale
Auction date: 2017/11/15

(All prices realized have included buyer’s premium unless otherwise specified)

A Masterpiece Rediscovered

Salvator Mundi, meaning “Savior of the World,” is a rare depiction of Christ by da Vinci, believed to have been painted around 1500. The artwork features Jesus with one hand raised in blessing and the other holding a crystal orb, symbolizing his dominion over the universe. Once thought lost, the painting re-emerged in 2005 when it was purchased at an estate sale for just $1,175, heavily overpainted and mistaken for a copy. A meticulous restoration process revealed its true origins, leading experts to attribute it to Leonardo himself.

The Auction That Shook the Art World

Christie’s marketed Salvator Mundi as “the last da Vinci” in private hands, creating immense anticipation for the auction. The bidding war, lasting nearly 20 minutes, saw price increments leap by tens of millions, culminating in a final bid of $400 million, with additional fees bringing the total to $450.3 million. The identity of the buyer was initially unknown, fueling widespread speculation. It was later revealed that Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, had acquired the painting, reportedly for display at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Controversies and Questions

Despite its astronomical price, Salvator Mundi remains a subject of heated debate. Some art historians question the extent of da Vinci’s involvement, arguing that parts of the painting may have been completed by his workshop. Others scrutinize its aggressive restoration, which some believe altered its authenticity. Additionally, the painting has mysteriously vanished from public view since its purchase, with its expected display at the Louvre Abu Dhabi repeatedly postponed.

The Cultural and Financial Impact

The sale of Salvator Mundi underscored the growing influence of ultra-wealthy collectors and Middle Eastern institutions in the art market. It also raised ethical questions about art as a financial asset rather than a cultural treasure. Whether it will resurface remains a mystery, but its sale cemented its place in history as a symbol of art’s enduring allure and the staggering sums collectors are willing to pay for a piece of the past.

With its blend of mystery, prestige, and intrigue, Salvator Mundi continues to captivate the world—an enigmatic masterpiece befitting the genius of Leonardo da Vinci.

Footnotes:

"Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi Smashes Auction Records with $450.3 Million Sale." Christie’s, 2017.
Harris, Gareth. "The Mystery of Salvator Mundi: Where is the World’s Most Expensive Painting?" The Art Newspaper, 2021.
Vogel, Carol. "A Long-Lost Leonardo? A Disputed Painting Becomes the World’s Most Expensive Work of Art." The New York Times, 2017.
"Christie’s New York 2017 November Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale – Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi Record-Breaking Auction." The Value, 2017.