News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Leonardo-Da-Vinci-Jesus-painting-Christie-s-main_article_image.jpg
Salvator Mundi is unveiled at Christie's in New York. Photograph: Reuters
World News

Abu Dhabi delays exhibition of Christ painting by Leonardo da Vinci

by Press Association

Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism announced the delay on Twitter, saying "more details will be announced soon".

The department declined to answer any questions from reporters, saying: "At this stage, we do not have any further information."

 

The Renaissance oil painting of Christ, whose title in Latin means Saviour of the World, sold for a record-breaking $450 million (£350 million) at an auction in New York at Christie's in November.

The painting depicts a blue-robed Jesus holding a crystal orb and gazing directly at the viewer.

It was to be displayed from September 18. The National, a state-aligned English-language newspaper in Abu Dhabi, wrote online on Monday that "speculation suggests the museum might be waiting for its one-year anniversary on November 11" to unveil it.

 Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci. Photograph: AP

Mystery has surrounded the museum's acquisition of the painting.

Western diplomats say a Saudi royal acting as a proxy for Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is close to Abu Dhabi's powerful Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was the buyer.

The Saudi Embassy in Washington and officials in Abu Dhabi say the Saudi royal purchased the painting on behalf of the museum in Abu Dhabi, which opened just days before the auction.

The display of the painting would be a major draw for the new museum, which has sought to distinguish itself from its namesake in Paris since opening after a decade of delays.

Abu Dhabi has agreed to pay France $525 million (£409 million) for the use of the Louvre name for the next 30 years and six months, plus another $750 million (£585 million) to hire French managers to oversee 300 loaned works of art.

Authorities have not said how much it cost to build the museum, located on Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Island.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate