Leonardo and Salvator Mundi
On November 15 2017 a painting was sold by auction at Christie's New York The painting called Salvator Mundi - Saviour of the World was estimated to have been painted around the year 1500 In the contemporary era the painting entered the art scene in 2005 in New Orleans -purchased by art dealer buddies taking a punt for under $US1200 in an estate sale. The painting was in an unrestored condition - dark gloomy as depicted in the auction catalogue -but not offensive enough to deter the buyers The 2005 auction catalogue used the description "After Leonardo da Vinci" to sell the 26x18 1/2 " work The story of what unfolded thereafter is lengthy dramatic and very memorable - illusion delusion and deceit may easily be part of the story that began in April 2005 - (well depicted in The Lost Leonardo documentary) It happens to be that many painters have produced similar works in the era of da Vinci and subsequently - as was common amongst his followers and students -and t