Epstein emails implicate art world over Salvator Mundi sale

Newly released emails from Jeffrey Epstein, part of the 'Epstein files' made public by Republican U.S. lawmakers, reveal conversations linking the disgraced financier to the art world. In a May 30, 2019 email to journalist Michael Wolff, Epstein discussed the Salvator Mundi, the most expensive painting ever sold at auction, attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. The work was bought for $450.3 million at Christie's in 2017 by Saudi prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan al-Saud, reportedly for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). The painting now resides in the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Epstein's email questioned the coincidence that Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, who had purchased a $95 million Florida mansion from Donald Trump, was also the seller of the painting to MBS for $450 million, noting the work was previously valued at only $1.5 million. Rybolovlev had earlier been involved in a legal dispute with Sotheby's and dealer Yves Bouvier over the painting's acquisition. Wolff pressed Epstein for clarification, and Epstein added that his private art advisor (his 'art guy') said the painting 'wasn't great.' The emails are part of a disorganized Google Drive release, lacking chronological order.