The artwork “Salvator Mundi,” attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, is an oil painting completed around 1500. It is a work from the High Renaissance, measuring 65.6 by 45.4 centimeters. This religious painting is noted for its representation of spirituality and currently resides in a private collection.
The artwork depicts a half-length figure of Christ as Savior of the World, directly engaging the viewer with a serene and enigmatic gaze. He is depicted with long, flowing hair and a beard, typical of Renaissance representations of Jesus. Christ’s right hand is raised in a gesture of blessing, while his left hand holds a crystal orb, symbolizing the world. The finely detailed curls of his hair, the soft sfumato technique used on his face to create subtle gradations of light and shadow, and the careful rendering of his drapery with its rich blue color and intricate patterns on the sash demonstrate Leonardo’s mastery of painting and his study of optics and the human form. The artwork carries a profound sense of stillness and gravitas, aligning with the religious subject matter of the time and Leonardo’s interest in human psychology and the divine.
