The most expensive painting in the world on the Saudi prince's yatch: report

Since its sale for a record $ 450 million, the "Salvator Mundi" was painted by Leonardo. da Vinci has become one of the greatest mysteries of the art world.

On Monday, London art dealer Kenny Schachter, writing for the Artnews website, gave answers: the painting now resides on the gigantic yacht belonging to the mighty Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Since his record sale at Christie's in 2017, the painting, in which Jesus Christ is pictured coming out of the darkness, blessing the world with one hand while holding a transparent globe in the world. other, has never been exposed to public, raising doubts about its property, its location and its authenticity.

Many art experts are divided on whether the painting is authentic, claiming that it was not painted personally by the Italian master, but by his

The Wall Street Journal reported for the first time that the painting had been purchased by Saudi Prince Badr bin Abdullah, who acted in the name of the Saudi Crown Prince, known by his initials MBS.

Riyadh has never confirmed or denied this report.

AFP could not corroborate Schachter's column and, recalling the opacity of international art sales, wrote: "In the murky waters of the Middle East, nothing is entirely clear . "

But citing several sources, including two involved in the sale, Schachter says the painting "was washed away in the middle of the night in the MBS plane and transferred to his yacht, the Serene."

After stating that the painting was originally found in shards and had to be rebuilt before During his auction, he asked: "What harm could occasion occasional splashing of water? sea? "

Schachter later wrote that the painting would remain aboard the huge yacht until its transfer to the governorate of Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia's goal tran sformed in a cultural and tourist destination.

(With the exception of the title, this story has not been altered by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)