NEW YORK — A painting of Christ by the Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci sold for a record $450 million at auction on Wednesday. The painting, called “Salvator Mundi,” Italian for “Savior of the World,” is one of fewer than 20 paintings by Leonardo known to exist and the only one in private hands. Its path from Leonardo’s workshop to the auction block at Christie’s was not smooth. The art dealers restored the painting and documented its authenticity as a work by Leonardo. A backer of the “Salvator Mundi” auction had guaranteed a bid of at least $100 million.

Source: National Post November 16, 2017 02:03 UTC