Mystery of Vinci’s lost $450m Jesus

London: The Louvre has asked to loan Salvator Mundi for a major exhibition — but many doubt the much-disputed work will make an appearance. Will it or won’t it appear?

This is the question being asked across the art world about the Salvator Mundi — the first Leonardo to be discovered for more than a century — as the Louvre prepares for its blockbuster da Vinci exhibition, the Guardian reported. With just under two weeks to go before the show opens, there are now serious doubts as to whether the star of the exhibition will be included, as the Paris museum had hoped. The world’s most expensive painting, a depiction of Jesus in Renaissance dress,

◗ The world's most expensive painting, a depiction of Jesus in Renaissance dress, which sold at auction in 2017 for $450m, would draw huge crowds

which sold at auction in 2017 for $450m, would draw huge crowds. Described as a devotional counterpart to the Mona Lisa, Leonardo’s most famous work, it is said to have an “extraordinary, communicative presence”.

But the arts world is awash with rumours that its appearance looks unlikely. The Art Newspaper goes further and claims the painting will not feature. A spokeswoman for the Louvre told the Observer: “I confirm the Louvre has asked for the loan of the Salvator Mundi. We don’t have the answer yet and thus, don’t have any further comment.”

A no show would be the latest twist in the saga of this painting.