Saudi Arabia to showcase Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Salvator Mundi’ in Louvre Museum – Riyadh

RIYADH — As part of his ambitious vision for Saudi Arabia’s development, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is preparing to open the Louvre Museum – Riyadh, where Leonardo da Vinci’s renowned Salvator Mundi (Christ the Savior) will be displayed. This masterpiece is one of the most famous works of art in the world.

The Crown Prince aims to make Salvator Mundi the centerpiece of this grand new museum, designed to reshape the country’s international image by promoting art and culture and addressing its negative reputation in the field of human rights.

Alison Cole, a contemporary art expert, stated that featuring Salvator Mundi in the museum is not surprising. She compared its potential impact to that of the Mona Lisa in Paris, noting that it would attract and amaze visitors.

Since the paintings record-breaking sale of $450 million in 2017, and its subsequent disappearance from public view, Saudi Arabia has been planning to use its fame to elevate the Louvre Museum – Riyadh onto the global cultural stage.

The painting depicts Christ emerging from the darkness, seated with his right hand raised in blessing and his left hand holding a transparent glass orb topped with a cross.