NPR

Last Da Vinci Painting In Private Hands Will Be Auctioned Next Month

The portrait of Jesus Christ, Salvator Mundi, was recently confirmed to be a da Vinci that had been thought to be destroyed. It's not clear where the painting was, exactly, for more than a century.
Christie's unveiled Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi at Christie's New York on Tuesday in New York City. / Ilya S. Savenok / Getty Images

The only known Leonardo da Vinci painting in private hands is heading to auction.

The portrait of Jesus Christ, Salvator Mundi, was only recently confirmed to be a da Vinci. This piece was thought to be a copy of a destroyed original. And it's still not clear where the painting was, exactly, for more than a century.

that this and The Associated Press, when it is auctioned at Christie's in New York on Nov. 15.

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR3 min readAmerican Government
House Foreign Aid Bills Advance With Democrats' Help; Johnson May Still Be In Peril
With Democratic support, the legislation overcomes a major procedural hurdle and is expected to head to a weekend vote by the full House.
NPR4 min read
'When I Think Of You' Could Be A Ripped-from-the-headlines Hollywood Romance
Myah Ariel's debut is like a fizzy, angsty mash-up of Bolu Babalola and Kennedy Ryan as the challenges of doing meaningful work in Hollywood threaten two young lovers' romantic reunion.
NPR4 min read
A Portrait Of Haitians Trying To Survive Without A Government
Haiti is on the verge of collapse, with little to no government. But many Haitians have already learned to live without the support of the state, as NPR discovered traveling to Cap-Haïtien.

Related Books & Audiobooks