To mark the 500th death anniversary of Leonardo Da Vinci, the Louvre in Paris will be hosting an exhibition of the painter¡¯s masterpiece this year. However, the world¡¯s most expensive and one of the greatest works of the legend, may not be a part of the show.
Known as ¡®Salvator Mundi¡¯, it was sold at a 2017 auction for a record Rs 3,127 crore. But ever since the sale, the painting has not been displayed to the public. The painting is a portrait of Jesus that has now triggered debates about its ownership and authenticity.
According to the reports, the painting was to go on display at the Louvre Abu Dhabi in September 2018. However, the exhibition was postponed without any explanation. The Louvre Abu Dhabi has not shared any details of the buyer, saying that the Emirate¡¯s Department and Culture and Tourism has acquired the painting.
Now, the mystery of Salvator Mundi has deepened ahead of a visit by Italian President Sergio Mattarella and he will be meeting French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday to mark the death anniversary of Leonardo Da Vinci. "The Louvre has asked the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi for the painting to be given on loan," a Louvre spokesperson told AFP.
A Wall Street Journal report claimed that the painting was bought by Saudi prince Badr ben Abdallah. However, the prince himself didn¡¯t confirm that he bought the painting.