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| "Savior of the World" |
A previously lost painting by Leonardo da Vinci – Salvator
Mundi, or “Savior of the World” – has been found and restored. It has been displayed at the London National Gallery, along with other works, for
the Leonardo da Vinci: Painter at the Court of Milan exhibition, taking place from November 9, 2011 to February 5, 2012.
The painting has been authenticated by distinguished scholars in the United States and Europe. It depicts Christ with his right hand raised in blessing and his left hand holding a globe. "Svior of the World" is painted in oil on a wood panel.
Owners of this priceless work of art include, King Charles I, Charles
II, and Sir Francis Cook, a British collector who was apparently
unaware that it was da Vinci’s work. The authentication process took a long time due to fact that the
piece was damaged and over-painted.
This painting is documented in the collection of King Charles
I of England in 1649 before it was sold at auction by the Duke of
Buckingham's son in 1763. It was purchased in 1900 by Sir Frederick
Cook a British art dealer. Where the work
had been stored between these dates is unknown however it is clear that
several previous poor restoration attempts had made the painting very
difficult to authenticate, it was sold at auction in 1958 for £45.
In
2005 the work was acquired by a consortium of US art dealers and
restored. The painting has since been studied by several
experts on Da Vinci and the renaissance period, the consensus is that
this work was painted by Leonardo da Vinci and is the original from
which the many copies depend. In a bold move by the National
Gallery they will be cataloging the painting as a newly discovered
Leonardo.
