The Most Expensive Painting Ever Sold

In a record-shattering 19-minute auction, the painting “Salvator Mundi,” believed to be by Leonardo da Vinci, was sold for $450.3 million to a Saudi prince. But the story doesn’t end there. It only gets more mysterious.

The Most Expensive Painting Ever Sold

In November 2017, the world watched in awe as a portrait of Jesus Christ titled Salvator Mundi fetched an astronomical $450.3 million at a Christie’s auction in New York. The painting, attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, became the most expensive artwork ever sold.

But it wasn’t just the price that shocked the world. It was the identity of the buyer, the speed of the bidding, and the mystery that followed.

Who Bought It? A Saudi Prince in the Spotlight

The buyer was eventually revealed to be Prince Badr bin Abdullah, acting as a proxy for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) of Saudi Arabia. The irony was hard to miss: a depiction of Jesus Christ, purchased by the de facto ruler of one of the world’s most conservative Islamic kingdoms.

Many speculated that the painting was meant for the Louvre Abu Dhabi, but plans to unveil it there were mysteriously canceled. To this day, the painting has not been publicly displayed since the auction.

What Is “Salvator Mundi”?

“Salvator Mundi,” meaning “Savior of the World,” depicts Jesus holding a crystal orb in one hand while blessing the viewer with the other. Originally created around the year 1500, the artwork was lost for centuries before resurfacing in 2005 in a heavily damaged state.

It underwent extensive restoration, and after years of scholarly debate, it was authenticated by some experts as a genuine Leonardo. Others, however, still question whether da Vinci painted it entirely himself or if it was largely the work of his studio.

The 19-Minute Bidding War

The auction lasted just 19 minutes, but the energy in the room was electric. Bids shot up rapidly, climbing into the hundreds of millions. Phone bidders fiercely competed, and when the hammer finally dropped, it shattered all previous records.

Before Salvator Mundi, the most expensive painting ever sold was Willem de Kooning’s “Interchange” for $300 million. Leonardo’s work surpassed that by over $150 million.

Where Is It Now?

After the sale, Salvator Mundi disappeared. Initially scheduled to appear at the Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2018, its unveiling was suddenly canceled. Rumors swirled: Was the painting aboard MBS’s yacht? Was it being stored in a Geneva vault? Was it in poor condition?

In 2021, reports suggested that the painting had been moved to a secure location in Switzerland. As of 2025, the artwork remains hidden from public view, adding to its aura of mystery.

The Controversy

This sale sparked fierce debate:

• Authenticity concerns: Is it truly a da Vinci?
• Religious questions: Why would a Muslim royal buy a portrait of Jesus?
• Art market ethics: Has the art world become just another playground for billionaires?

Despite these questions, the sale cemented Salvator Mundi‘s place in art history not just as a masterpiece but as a cultural phenomenon.

Final Thoughts

The $450 million painting of Jesus is more than a sale. It’s a story of art, power, money, and mystery. Whether Salvator Mundi is a lost da Vinci or a masterful fake, one thing is certain: no painting has ever made headlines like this one.

📩 Do you have questions or suggestions? Leave a comment or contact us!

🏷️ Tags: Salvator Mundi, Leonardo da Vinci, Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi prince painting, most expensive painting, Christie’s auction, art market record, Jesus painting, lost da Vinci, Louvre Abu Dhabi

📣 Hashtags: #SalvatorMundi, #LeonardoDaVinci, #ArtMystery, #MostExpensivePainting, #SaudiPrince, #ArtAuction, #Christies, #JesusPainting, #LouvreAbuDhabi, #ArtScandal