What Is the Most Expensive Art Piece in History?

Art|Art History

The most expensive art piece in history is a painting by Italian Renaissance master, Leonardo da Vinci. The painting, titled “Salvator Mundi,” sold for a staggering $450.3 million in 2017, making it the most expensive artwork ever purchased.

The painting was created around 1500 and depicts Jesus Christ dressed in Renaissance-style robes with his right hand raised in blessing and his left hand holding a crystal orb. It is believed to be the only Leonardo da Vinci painting still in private hands.

The painting was sold at auction at Christie’s in New York City, setting a world record for the highest price ever paid for an artwork at auction. The buyer of the painting was never publicly revealed, although it was speculated to be Saudi Arabian prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan al-Saud.

The record sale immediately sparked controversy and debate over whether or not the artwork was worth such an exorbitant price tag. Some argued that it was an invaluable masterpiece by one of the world’s greatest painters, while others maintained that its value was largely driven by its rarity as there are only 15 known paintings by da Vinci left in existence today.

In addition to its astronomical sale price, “Salvator Mundi” also gained notoriety for its mysterious history as it had been lost for centuries before being rediscovered and authenticated as a Leonardo da Vinci original in 2011. The painting had changed hands several times before it reappeared on the market with its current status as a masterpiece intact.

The sale of “Salvator Mundi” has set the benchmark for art auctions and established Leonardo da Vinci as an even more sought-after artist whose works can command hundreds of millions of dollars on the open market. It has also redefined what is considered valuable when it comes to art, with some arguing that this piece has opened up new possibilities for art sales and investments into high-end masterpieces.

Conclusion:

Leonardo da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi” has become the most expensive artwork ever sold, setting a world record when it sold for $450 million at auction in 2017. Its astronomical price tag has sparked debate over whether or not it is truly worth such an extravagant amount of money but one thing is certain – this sale has changed how we look at fine art investments and set a new benchmark for art auctions.