The World’s Most Expensive Painting Due To Be Unveiled At Louvre Abu Dhabi Has Been Mysteriously Stalled
The art world was undeniably shook when Leonardo Da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi sold for a whopping $450 million.
It was rumoured the piece was bought by Saudi Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan al-Saud and gifted to the Abu Dhabi royal family and it was originally announced the piece would be permanently homed at the Louvre Abu Dhabi on September 18.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi announced the huge coupe back in December
Da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi is coming to #LouvreAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/Zdstx6YFZG
— Louvre Abu Dhabi (@LouvreAbuDhabi) December 6, 2017
However a tweet today from The Department of Culture and Tourism revealed the unveiling of the masterpiece will be postponed
More details to come
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi announces the postponement of the unveiling of Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi. More details will be announced soon pic.twitter.com/Xpu22n3W1G
— Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (@dctabudhabi) September 3, 2018
What everyone wants to know
Why And when?
— Michelle Pastor (@mini_mandm) September 3, 2018
The 500-year old painting was bought at Christie’s in New York for US$450 million (AED1.65billion), making it the most expensive painting to be ever sold at an auction
The stunning Renaissance oil painting shows a blue-robed Jesus holding a crystal orb and gazing at the viewer.
It was initially reported the painting would be unveiled in Abu Dhabi, then it would return to the Musee du Louvre in Paris for a planned Leonardo show to mark the 500th anniversary of the artist, before returning to its permanent home in Abu Dhabi after the show ends in October 2020.
