Salvador Mundi, the world’s most expensive painting ($450M), will be minted as an NFT
The Salvator Mundi, a masterpiece attributed to Leonardo da Vinci and previously auctioned for a record-breaking $450.3m, is about to embrace the digital realm. Come 12 August, this iconic piece of art, currently owned by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, will be minted into an NFT (non-fungible token).
Another masterpiece goes digital
ElmonX, a leading platform for digital assets, in association with international image licensing firm Bridgeman Images, is at the helm of this transformative project.
This collaboration has previously rendered classics like Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Rodin’s The Thinker, and Monet’s Nymphéas into NFTs. These digital editions have garnered significant attention and financial turnover. For instance, an ElmonX artist-proof Mona Lisa was recently resold on the OpenSea NFT marketplace for 3.7 ETH, equivalent to $6,764.
Bridgeman Images, expressing enthusiasm about this venture, stated:
“As the world’s leading specialists in licensing fine art, cultural, and historical media for reproduction, we are delighted to collaborate with ElmonX, experts at the forefront of NFT art creation.”
Scarce details about the mint
However, details surrounding the financial dimensions of this deal remain under wraps. A Bridgeman Images spokesperson clarified:
“We license the images to ElmonX akin to our standard procedures for commercial projects. Our high-quality images and videos cater to various sectors including advertising, filmmaking, and publishing.”
The World’s most expensive painting
The Salvator Mundi itself possesses a layered history. Last year, every significant event in the painting’s 500-year timeline was chronicled. Originally pitched at Christie’s New York in 2017 for over $100m, the Salvator Mundi was acquired by an undisclosed phone bidder, later revealed as Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman. The artwork’s current location remains a mystery.
Interestingly, in 2021, author Ben Lewis fashioned an NFT showcasing the Salvator Mundi clutching dollars, replacing the traditional crystal orb. As digital and traditional art worlds intersect, it’s undeniable that the narrative of art consumption is being rewritten.
