World’s Most Expensive Painting to be Displayed at Louvre Abu Dhabi

The Christ by the Renaissance master smashed artwork auction records last month

In a Tweet the Louvre confirmed the painting would be on display, without disclosing any further details.

The Christ by the Renaissance master smashed artwork auction records last month when it was sold for $450-M to an unknown buyer.

The price was nearly 3X the previous auction record set by Pablo Picasso’s painting Women of Algiers in May 2015.

The painting, which dates from around Y 1500 is one of only 20 da Vinci’s known to exist and the only one in private hands.

It shows Christ in renaissance robes with his right hand raised in blessing and his led holding a crystal sphere.

Prior to its recent record auction the artwork has an interesting history. King Charles 1 of England was said to have owned it before it disappeared until 1900 when a British collector acquired it.

The work was sold again in Y 1958 for GBP45 ($60) and then acquired in Y 2005 after being badly damaged and partly painted over by a consortium of art dealers for less than $10,000.

The art deals restored the painting and claimed it was the authentic work of Leonardo himself before it was exhibited across the world and sold at auction by Christie’s.

In a separate Tweet Christie’s indicated the Louvre Abu Dhabi would be the painting’s “new home”.

The move will also alleviate concerns after the 15 November auction that the painting would never be seen in public again.

Have a terrific weekend.