Marcus Chen
Leonardo da Vinci's total output of paintings is rather small, with only about 12 full-scale, finished paintings attributed to him, and several others unfinished. The last known privately owned painting, Salvator Mundi, was sold in 2017 for a record-breaking price of $450 million. This painting, which depicts Christ, is now believed to be in the hands of a private collector, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, and is unlikely to end up in a museum.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of authenticated paintings | 15 |
| Number of major works | 8 |
| Last privately owned painting | Salvator Mundi |
| Date of Salvator Mundi auction | December 7, 2017 |
| Salvator Mundi auction price | $450 million |
| Salvator Mundi buyer | Louvre Abu Dhabi |
| Number of surviving manuscripts | 11 |
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What You'll Learn
The small number of surviving paintings
Leonardo da Vinci is known to have completed very few paintings during his lifetime. There are only around eight major works universally attributed to him, including The Adoration of the Magi, Saint Jerome in the Wilderness, the Louvre Virgin of the Rocks, The Last Supper, the ceiling of the Sala delle Asse, The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne and Saint John the Baptist, The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne, and the Mona Lisa. These paintings have aroused little to no controversy and are considered to be definitive examples of da Vinci's artistic genius.
In addition to these eight universally accepted works, there are ten additional paintings that are now widely attributed to da Vinci, although most of these have incited considerable controversy or doubt in the past. These include the Annunciation, Madonna of the Carnation, The Baptism of Christ (which he painted with his teacher, Verrocchio), Ginevra de' Benci, the Benois Madonna, and the Portrait of a Musician.
Furthermore, da Vinci's unique creative process may have contributed to the small number of completed paintings. Unlike many of his contemporaries, da Vinci typically did not create preliminary sketches or studies for his paintings, except in the case of the Last Supper, for which he made a series of facial studies and grouping studies of the disciples. Da Vinci wrote that he first created his paintings in his "mind's eye" before realizing them on a canvas, and he was known to constantly revise his works, often making changes during the creation process.
Finally, it is worth noting that da Vinci's paintings were created on wooden panels, which may have contributed to their survival over the centuries. While some of his works have undoubtedly been lost or destroyed, the existing collection of authenticated da Vinci paintings stands at approximately 15, a relatively small number compared to the vast body of work produced by other Renaissance artists.
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Salvator Mundi, the most expensive artwork ever
Salvator Mundi, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, is the most expensive artwork ever sold at public auction. The painting depicts Jesus Christ in Renaissance attire, making a gesture of blessing with his right hand while holding a crystal orb in his left hand. This painting is unique compared to other da Vinci works as it does not follow the artist's hallmark technique of a slight twist of the neck. Instead, the subject is depicted in a straight posture.
Salvator Mundi's attribution to Leonardo da Vinci has been a subject of controversy, with some experts doubting its authenticity. The painting underwent extensive conservation treatment, and scholars concluded that it was an original da Vinci work. However, some specialists, like Michael Daley of ArtWatch UK, theorize that it may be a prototype or a work with passages done by Leonardo and others. The extensive restoration and overpainting before its authentication may contribute to the ongoing debate.
The painting has a fascinating history, having been passed through various owners over the centuries. It is believed to have been commissioned for the French king Louis XII around 1500. In the 17th century, it travelled to England through Princess Henrietta Maria's marriage to King Charles I. After the king's execution in 1649, the painting was sold, and its whereabouts were unknown for a period. It resurfaced and was purchased by an architect, John Stone, for a meagre sum, only to return to the palace in 1660.
The painting's sale in 2017 for a staggering $450.3 million set a new record. The auction at Christie's in New York attracted global attention from art lovers and buyers. The identity of the buyer was initially reported as Prince Badr bin Abdullah, who allegedly purchased it for the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism. However, it was later speculated that he may have been a stand-in bidder for the Saudi Arabian crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman. The exact price and currency of the sale are not known, with estimates ranging from $250 million to $450 million.
The Salvator Mundi's journey and its status as a da Vinci work have captivated filmmakers and playwrights. Documentaries, such as "The Savior for Sale" and "The Lost Leonardo," explore the painting's attribution, provenance, and the trail of buyers involved. The painting's exclusion from the 2019-2020 Leonardo exhibition at the Louvre added to the intrigue surrounding it. The high price and the debates surrounding its authenticity continue to fuel interest in this renowned artwork.
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The Mona Lisa
Leonardo da Vinci is known for his experimentation with new techniques, procrastination, and diverse interests beyond painting, resulting in a small number of surviving paintings. There are currently around 15 authenticated da Vinci paintings in the world. The exact number is difficult to pinpoint due to controversies surrounding attributions and the existence of numerous replicas.
One of da Vinci's most renowned paintings, the Mona Lisa, has an intriguing history. It is believed to have been painted between 1503 and 1506, with some suggesting that da Vinci may have continued working on it until as late as 1517. The painting was in his studio when he died in 1519, and it was acquired by King Francis I of France, becoming part of the royal collection. The Mona Lisa's global fame and popularity surged following its theft in 1911 by Vincenzo Peruggia, who attributed his actions to Italian patriotism. The painting's mysterious smile, the subject's enigmatic expression, and the subject's uncertain identity, presumed to be Lisa del Giocondo, have captivated audiences for centuries.
In 2021, a fascinating discovery was made in a private collection in St. Petersburg. A second version of the Mona Lisa, known as the Isleworth Mona Lisa, was found, possibly portraying the same subject at a younger age. Experts, including Italian expert Silvano Vinceti and da Vinci apprentice Carlo Pedretti, are analyzing the artwork to determine its authenticity. The "second version" features two columns that do not appear in the original but are present in a genuine study for the painting and some copies.
The original Mona Lisa is currently on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris, where it has been since 1804. It is displayed behind bulletproof glass and is considered irreplaceable, with the museum opting to focus on preventive measures rather than expensive insurance policies. The painting's value is immeasurable, with a speculative price of over one billion dollars.
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Da Vinci's notebooks and drawings
Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks and drawings offer a captivating glimpse into the mind of a genius. Da Vinci, who lived from 1452 to 1519, was a true Renaissance man, excelling as an architect, musician, inventor, engineer, sculptor, and painter. His notebooks, consisting of 11 surviving manuscripts, provide a unique window into his thoughts and observations.
The notebooks contain thousands of pages filled with diagrams, drawings, personal notes, and reflections on the world around him. They cover a diverse range of topics, from art and science to everyday life during the Renaissance. Da Vinci's writing style, known as mirror writing, adds to the intrigue of his notebooks. This style, written in reverse from right to left, may have been a way for Da Vinci to keep his thoughts private or simply a result of his left-handedness.
One of the most renowned collections of Da Vinci's notebooks is the Codex Forster, which includes three distinct notebooks. The first, Codex Forster I, dates from 1487 to 1490 and contains notes and sketches on various topics, including weaving looms, architecture, and figurative drawings. The second notebook, Codex Forster II, was created in Milan from 1495 to 1497 and covers subjects such as the theory of weights and scales, sketches of perpetual motion, and drawings of helmets. The third notebook, Codex Forster III, is the most eclectic, with notes on geometry, weights, hydraulics, and sketches of horse legs, costumes, and human anatomy.
The Victoria and Albert Museum in London holds five of Da Vinci's notebooks, offering visitors a rare opportunity to delve into the mind of the master. These notebooks provide insight into Da Vinci's time as a military and naval engineer for the Duke of Milan, revealing his unique approach to paper, blending the ideas and inventions of a designer and a scientist.
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Da Vinci's private life
Leonardo da Vinci, the Italian polymath, is regarded as one of the greatest artists in history. He was born in Anchiano, Tuscany, Italy, in 1452, and his surname is derived from the town of Vinci, near Florence, where he lived. Da Vinci's parents were not married, and his mother, Caterina, a peasant, wed another man when he was very young. From the age of five, he lived on his father Ser Peiro's estate in Vinci. His father, an attorney and notary, recognized his artistic talent and apprenticed him at around age 14 or 15 to the noted sculptor and painter Andrea del Verrocchio of Florence.
Da Vinci refined his painting and sculpting techniques and trained in mechanical arts for about a decade. In 1472, when he was 20, the painters' guild of Florence offered him membership, but he remained with Verrocchio until he became an independent master in 1478. He is considered a "Renaissance man," excelling in various fields, including art, science, and invention. He kept journals filled with drawings and sketches of his studies, observations, and theories about pursuits from aeronautics to human anatomy.
Da Vinci is best known for his paintings Mona Lisa and "The Last Supper." Only about 12 to 15 of his paintings are still around, with the last known privately-owned painting, "Salvator Mundi," auctioned off in 2017 for over $100 million.
As for his personal life, da Vinci rarely made references to it in his writings. He is believed to have been left-handed and tall for his time, standing at 5ft 8 inches. He wore his hair long and had a flowing beard over his chest, which was uncommon for men during his era. Da Vinci is thought to have been homosexual, but the only historical document concerning his sexual life is an accusation of sodomy made in 1476. He was a vegetarian and loved animals, often buying caged birds and setting them free.
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Frequently asked questions
There is only one known Leonardo da Vinci painting in a private collection, Salvator Mundi, which was sold for $450 million.
Leonardo da Vinci was not primarily a painter, and his fame initially rested on his achievements in other fields. He also had a habit of experimenting with new techniques, which resulted in many incomplete works. There are only about 15 authenticated Leonardo da Vinci paintings in the world.
Some of Leonardo da Vinci's most famous paintings include the Mona Lisa, The Adoration of the Magi, Saint Jerome in the Wilderness, and Virgin of the Rocks.
