The artwork provided in this image is often mistaken as “Salvator Mundi” by Albrecht Dürer, created around 1504. It is described as an oil and tempera on panel painting belonging to the Northern Renaissance movement and classified as a religious painting. This artwork is frequently attributed to be located at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. However, it is important to note that this particular painting is actually “Salvator Mundi” attributed to Leonardo da Vinci and not Albrecht Dürer. Furthermore, the claim that it is located at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is also a common mistake.
The painting itself depicts Jesus in Renaissance dress, making the sign of the cross with His right hand while holding a transparent, non-refracting orb in His left hand, symbolizing the ‘world’ in a way that does not distort the light passing through, which is not consistent with physical reality and optical principles. Jesus is portrayed with a calm and solemn countenance, gazing directly at the viewer. The red and blue of his garments are rich and symbolic, with the red often representing the blood of Christ and the blue symbolizing the divine. The detailed rendering of Christ’s curls, the fine modelling of his face, and the delicate treatment of light are characteristic of Leonardo’s style, emphasizing his mastery in capturing human emotion and divinity intertwined.
