New Emirates museum acquires $450 million da Vinci
So now the biggest art secret of 2017 is out: The new Louvre Abu Dhabi revealed last week that it has acquired Leonardo da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi,” which sold for a record $450 million a few weeks ago at Christi’s auction house in New York. No word whether the museum itself was the buyer or one of its wealthy patrons purchased the painting and donated it to the museum.
But one thing is for sure: The high price was quite a publicity stunt. “Salvator Mundi” will create quite a draw for a museum that might not have been on the must-see list. And arts lovers can be relieved that it will be shared with the public.
The Louvre Abu Dabi plans to display the painting soon (it has yet to announce the date) alongside da Vinci’s “La Belle Ferronnière,” which is on loan from its sister institution, Paris’ Musée du Louvre.
Some critics have said “Salvator Mundi” is no “Mona Lisa,” but it is one of fewer than 20 known surviving paintings by the Italian Renaissance master. (Although some have questioned its authenticity as well.)
Dating from about 1500 and rendered in oil on a wooden panel, “Salvator Mundi” depicts a half-length figure of Christ 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.
Manuel Rabaté, director of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, said the now-famous painting fits perfectly into the museum’s mission of breaking down barriers between the different civilizations. “It will be on display alongside our growing collection and will be an exceptional treasure that no doubt will be enjoyed by our visitors,” he said.
The museum will open its first special exhibition, “From One Louvre to Another: Opening a New Museum for Everyone,” on Thursday. The show will feature about 150 significant objects from the collections of Musée du Louvre and the Château de Versailles.