Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi Authenticated in 2011 After Centuries of Obscurity

Leonardo da Vinci's painting Salvator Mundi, depicting Christ blessing with a transparent orb, was commissioned around 1500, possibly by King Louis XII of France after Leonardo left Milan. The artwork's authenticity was confirmed only in 2011, following a long history of obscurity and alterations. It passed through Catholic confraternities and the Franciscan abbey in Canterbury, where beards and mustaches were added to Christ, obscuring the original. Poor condition, including a tear on the back, multiple varnish layers, and overpainting, led to earlier suspicions it was a copy or workshop piece. Scholars authenticated it as a Leonardo masterpiece upon revealing authentic tones, sfumato technique, and pigments similar to those in The Last Supper and The Virgin of the Rocks. The painting features a young Christ with hazel eyes and long hair, rendered with excessive sfumato against a dark background, emphasizing regal attire. Its iconography draws from Flemish art, known in Italy, with a half-length format typical of the Renaissance, influenced by artists like Petrus Christus, Antonello da Messina, and Memling. Unlike prior depictions, Leonardo imbued it with unprecedented intensity, portraying a triumphant, vital Christ without passion attributes, following Jan Van Eyck's Imago Christi tradition. The transparent orb, depicted without light distortion, is noted for its perfect symmetry, showcasing Leonardo's mastery.