This could be your last chance to see Leonardo da Vinci’s lost masterpiece, Salvator Mundi.
The painting, which depicts Christ bestowing a blessing, will be on show to the public at Christie’s in London today (weds) and tomorrow (thurs oct26) before travelling to the firm’s New York auction house for sale on 15 November.
A number of museums were interested but it is believed the artwork may go to a private investor and might not be displayed in public following the sale.
Dating from around 1500 in the same timeframe as the Mona Lisa, Salvator Mundi (Saviour of the World), is one of 15 known paintings by Leonardo.
It was first recorded during the reign of King Charles I (1600-1649).
It disappeared from 1763 to 1900, when the figure’s face was over-painted with a beard and moustache and believed to be by one of Leonardo’s pupils.
In 1958 it sold for £45 at a Sotheby’s sale. It disappeared again until 2005, when it was purchased from an American estate at a small regional auction house.
Six years later, following research and authentication which involved the world’s leading Leonardo experts, it was confirmed as genuine.
The painting is on show at Christie’s, 8 King Street, London SW1Y 6QT from 9am-4pm, 25 and 26 October.