There are only 24 paintings widely accepted to be by the artist and one of those will soon be on permanent display at the Louvre Abu Dhabi
The Salvator Mundi, a Leonardo Da Vinci masterpiece now famed to be the most expensive painting ever sold, will be on display at the Louvre Abu Dhabi from September 18.
The 500-year-old painting will be the first of the master’s works to be in a permanent collection outside of the US or Europe. Currently there is only 23 other acknowledged Da Vinci’s around the world (but there are another eight that are still under discussion).
“The Salvator Mundi highlights the inclusive nature of Louvre Abu Dhabi’s narrative and Abu Dhabi’s mission to promote a message of acceptance, and openness. It is an opportunity for Abu Dhabi’s residents and visitors from around the world to engage with a rare and iconic work of great cultural significance at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Lost and hidden for so long in private hands, Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpiece is now our gift to the world,” said Mohammad Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture & Tourism.
Dating from around 1500, Salvator Mundi is an oil on panel painting depicting a half-length figure of Christ as Saviour of the World, facing the viewer, and dressed in flowing robes of lapis and crimson. The figure holds a crystal orb in his left hand as he raises his right hand in benediction.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi is a universal museum that exhibits art and artefacts from ancient times to the present day in order to celebrate cultural exchange and diversity including the Middle Easts’ innovative and thriving art scene.
