Marcus Chen
Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most renowned artists of all time, and his paintings of Jesus Christ are among his most celebrated works. The Italian High Renaissance artist's depictions of Christ include Salvator Mundi, The Last Supper, and The Baptism of Christ. The Last Supper is considered perhaps the most important mural painting in the world, and its handling of space, mastery of perspective, treatment of motion, and complex display of human emotion have made it one of the Western world's most recognizable paintings. However, the attribution of Salvator Mundi to Leonardo has been disputed, with some specialists proposing that he only contributed certain elements, while others believe that extensive restoration prevents a definitive attribution.
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What You'll Learn
The painting's authorship
The authorship of the painting Salvator Mundi, Latin for 'Savior of the World', has been the subject of much debate. The painting depicts Jesus Christ in Renaissance attire, making a gesture of blessing with his right hand while holding a transparent crystal orb in his left. It is dated to the period between 1499 and 1510.
While Christie's, which sold the work in 2017, stated that most leading scholars consider it an original work by Leonardo da Vinci, this attribution has been contested by other specialists. Some believe that Leonardo only contributed certain elements, while others argue that the extensive restoration prevents a definitive attribution. The art historian Luke Syson supports the former view, dating the painting to c. 1499, while Martin Kemp and Frank Zöllner date it to c. 1504–1510 and c. 1507 or later, respectively. Carlo Pedretti, on the other hand, dates the painting to 1510–1515 based on the similarity of the drapery studies in the Royal Collection to those in Leonardo's studies for "The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne".
The question of authorship is further complicated by the fact that the painting has undergone significant restoration and manipulation throughout its existence, as acknowledged by Zöllner, who stated that "You have the old parts of the painting which are original—these are by pupils—and the new parts of the painting, which look like Leonardo, but they are by the restorer." Dianne Modestini, the restorer, is credited by Zöllner for creating "a masterpiece" in her restoration work.
The Louvre's request to exhibit Salvator Mundi in its Leonardo da Vinci exhibition in 2019-2020 was reportedly met without response, leading to speculation that the absence was due to doubts over its full attribution to the artist. In 2021, scholars at the Museo del Prado included the painting under "attributed works, workshop of authorized and supervised by Leonardo" in the catalogue for "Leonardo and the Copy" exhibition.
While the authorship of Salvator Mundi remains a subject of debate, it is clear that the painting has had a significant impact, with many acknowledging its technical prowess, unflinching commitment to detail, and dramatic structure of light and darkness.
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Its depiction of Jesus
Leonardo da Vinci's paintings of Jesus Christ include Salvator Mundi, The Last Supper, and The Baptism of Christ.
Salvator Mundi
Salvator Mundi, or 'Savior of the World', depicts Jesus Christ in blue Renaissance attire, making a gesture of blessing with his right hand. In his left hand, he holds a transparent, non-refracting crystal orb, signalling his role as Salvator Mundi and representing the 'celestial sphere' of the heavens. The painting is dated c. 1499–1510.
Art historians have noted the controversial proportions of Jesus in Salvator Mundi, including the 'modern' style of hair ringlets and marks above Christ's eyes. The eyes of Jesus are particularly striking, conveying little emotion at first glance, but upon closer inspection, they appear foreboding, as if Christ is watching the viewer with all his wisdom.
The Last Supper
The Last Supper is a mural painting dated c. 1495–1498. It depicts the scene of Jesus's last meal with the Twelve Apostles, as told in the Gospel of John, specifically the moment after Jesus announces that one of his apostles will betray him. Leonardo's painting is notable for its use of perspective, which draws attention to the face of Christ at the centre of the composition. The painting also captures a succession of moments rather than a single instant, with Christ reaching towards a glass of wine and a piece of bread, symbolising the institution of the Eucharist.
The Baptism of Christ
The Baptism of Christ is Leonardo's first painting, made with oil and tempera on a wooden panel. It depicts Saint John the Baptist baptizing Jesus Christ with the waters of the Jordan River, with two young angels attending the scene. Leonardo completed the background landscape and the angel on the left, and standardised the work to bring together the styles of the three different artists who worked on the painting.
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The painting's location history
Salvator Mundi, or 'Savior of the World', is a painting by Leonardo da Vinci, dated c. 1499–1510. It depicts Jesus Christ in Renaissance attire, making a blessing gesture with his right hand, while holding a crystal orb in his left.
The painting seems to have been at James Hamilton's Chelsea Manor in London from 1638 to 1641. After participating in the English Civil War, Hamilton was executed on 9 March 1649, and some of his possessions were taken to the Netherlands to be sold. The painting was recorded in Henrietta Maria's possession in 1649, the same year her husband Charles I was executed. It was included in an inventory of the Royal Collection, valued at £30, and Charles's possessions were put up for sale.
In 2011-2012, the painting was exhibited at the National Gallery in London. It was sold by Christie's in 2017, who stated that most leading scholars consider it an original work by Leonardo, but this attribution has been disputed.
In 2019-2020, the Louvre requested to exhibit Salvator Mundi in its Leonardo da Vinci exhibition, but the painting did not appear. The New York Times reported that this was due to the French being unwilling to meet Saudi demands that the painting be hung alongside the Mona Lisa.
The painting's current location is unknown, leading to speculation and mystery surrounding its whereabouts and ownership.
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The painting's technical prowess
Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi is a testament to the artist's technical prowess, showcasing his meticulous attention to detail and dramatic use of light and shadow. The painting, dated around 1499-1510, depicts Jesus Christ in Renaissance attire, making a blessing gesture with his right hand while holding a transparent crystal orb, representing his role as Salvator Mundi, or Saviour of the World.
One of the striking features of Salvator Mundi is the enigmatic expression captured in the eyes of Jesus. At first glance, they convey a sense of calm, but upon closer inspection, they exude a potent and foreboding feel, as if Christ is gazing at the viewer with all his wisdom. This immersive quality, frequently found in da Vinci's portraits, draws viewers into the scene, inviting them to contemplate their personal reaction to Christ's silent gaze.
The painting also reveals da Vinci's mastery of perspective. The composition is organised into four groups of three figures, with the vanishing point located at the turned right cheek of Jesus, drawing our attention to his face at the centre. Christ's down-turned gaze then directs our focus along the diagonal of his left arm to his hand, which holds the bread, symbolising the Eucharist. This intricate use of perspective enhances the narrative depth of the painting, capturing a succession of moments and emotions in a single scene.
Salvator Mundi also showcases da Vinci's innovative approach to materials and techniques. He chose to paint on a stone wall sealed with a double layer of gesso, pitch, and mastic, a method described by Cennino Cennini in the 14th century. By using tempera, a medium typically reserved for panel painting, da Vinci achieved greater luminosity and intensity of light and shadow (chiaroscuro) than traditional fresco techniques allowed. This experimental approach, combined with his exceptional skill, resulted in a masterpiece that continues to captivate and inspire viewers centuries later.
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The painting's religious subject matter
Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi, or 'Savior of the World', is a painting depicting Jesus Christ in Renaissance attire, making a blessing gesture with his right hand, and holding a crystal orb in his left hand. The crystal orb in his left hand is a representation of the celestial sphere of the heavens, signalling his role as Salvator Mundi. The painting is attributed in whole or part to Leonardo da Vinci and is dated to c. 1499–1510.
The religious subject matter of Salvator Mundi is deeply rooted in Christian iconography and theology. The painting portrays Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the World, a central figure in Christian theology and the foundation of the Christian faith. The crystal orb he holds represents the heavens and further emphasizes his divine role.
Leonardo's depiction of Christ in Renaissance attire is intriguing. The use of anachronistic blue Renaissance clothing may symbolize the fusion of the religious and secular worlds, or it could be Leonardo's way of humanizing Christ by dressing him in contemporary fashion. This fusion of the sacred and the secular is a recurring theme in Renaissance art, reflecting the period's fascination with exploring the interplay between the divine and the earthly.
The painting's composition and use of perspective also contribute to the religious subject matter. Leonardo skillfully uses perspective lines to draw attention to the face of Christ, making him the focal point of the composition. This technique emphasizes the importance and timelessness of Christ, as noted by art critics and historians.
Salvator Mundi is believed to have been commissioned by a specific patron, possibly King Louis XII of France and his consort, Anne of Brittany. The painting may have been intended for personal devotion, as was common with panels of similar size and subject matter during the Renaissance era. The devotional nature of the painting is further supported by its potential use in the context of prayer and spiritual communication between the spectator and the likeness of Christ.
In addition to Salvator Mundi, Leonardo da Vinci also explored religious themes in other works, including The Last Supper and The Baptism of Christ. The Last Supper depicts the moment after Jesus announces that one of his apostles will betray him, capturing the reactions of the disciples. The Baptism of Christ, on the other hand, illustrates the baptism of Jesus Christ by Saint John the Baptist, surrounded by angels. These paintings by Leonardo da Vinci delve into pivotal moments in Christian theology, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the scenes and contemplate their religious significance.
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Frequently asked questions
It is believed that Leonardo painted Jesus at least twice, with his first painting being "The Baptism of Christ", followed by "Salvator Mundi".
Leonardo da Vinci started working on "The Baptism of Christ" in 1470 at the age of 18.
"The Baptism of Christ" was commissioned by the monastery of San Salvi and started by Verrocchio. Another apprentice, whose name is unknown, also worked on the painting.
"Salvator Mundi" is dated to between 1499 and 1515.
"Salvator Mundi" is Latin for "Savior of the World".
