(Louvre Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)
A painting by the Italian artist Leonardo Da Vinci (1452 - 1519). This painting was probably commissioned by king Louis XII of France and is one of the 20 paintings which are attributed to Leonardo Da Vinci (some dispute the attribution of this painting to Leonardo). The piece itself shows what is called a 'Salvator undi' - Latin for 'Saviour of the World': a depiction of a blessing Christ with an orb surmounted by a cross (a globus cruciger). The globus cruciger is a symbol of authority and represents the triumph of Christ over the world. This painting was heavily over painted and only restored to its original version in 2011-2012. It was in private hands but was auctioned and bought for a record price in 2017 by the Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism for display at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Painting from 1500.
