Leonardo da Vinci
 

The most expensive piece of art ever sold in history recently closed at Christie's Auction in New York City. It was a Leonardo da Vinci and sold for record $450.3 million dollars! More than double the previous world record ever paid for a work of art. It is only one of 15 true original Leonardo da Vinci's known to exist. Like Wow !

should get it graded..though it may be 'restored' 'altered'

Is there any credible dispute about authenticity ?

I should hope not for that price...

It amazes me that there is anyone who has the kind of money to spend that much on one item! WOW!!
.

The really interesting part is that the painting was restored to some extent before it was put back up for Auction.

It may be Authentic, who knows for sure, but it is mind boggling that so much was paid considering it was restored to some extent.

I have limited knowledge of this piece of Art so if I am off base, please feel free to correct me.

Thanks

Duane

A few facts that the sole winner of this ALLEGED Da Vinci masterpiece might want to consider:

1. Nearly 1/2 of the world’s population — more than 3 billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day. More than 1.3 billion live in extreme poverty — less than $1.25 a day.

2. 1 billion children worldwide are living in poverty. According to UNICEF, 22,000 children die each day due to poverty.

3. 805 million people worldwide do not have enough food to eat.

4. More than 750 million people lack adequate access to clean drinking water. Diarrhea caused by inadequate drinking water, sanitation, and hand hygiene kills an estimated 842,000 people every year globally, or approximately 2,300 people per day.

5. In 2011, 165 million children under the age 5 were stunted (reduced rate of growth and development) due to chronic malnutrition.

There seems to be some dispute.
Christie's (they got a cool $50 million for this sale, less the possible pay off, from buyers commission, to the seller) launched the biggest ad campaign in history for one piece of art for this Da Vinci. I guess advertising pays.

Anybody who spends nearly 1/2 a Billion dollars on a piece of art, doesn't garner a whole lot of sympathy with me if they didn't do their due diligence in regards to authenticity.

I'd guess this is going into a huge corporate building (whether on public display or hidden somewhere), and then taken as a direct expense deduction, or some other accounting magic is going to take place which becomes much more beneficial then a charitable deduction.

Of course it could have also just as easily been won by some despot in a poor foreign country stealing money from their people, or a Sheikh in the Middle East who doesn't give a lick about the lower classes or paying taxes at all, because all the taxes go directly to them already.

I'd be kind of curious what kind of paperwork and banking know how goes into a $450 Million consignment sale, where the money is getting transferred from, and what kind of security goes into transporting a piece of art like this to the winner?

I'd certainly be interested in seeing a well made documentary that delved into the minutia of the details of an auction like this.

'

right and the person that bought it before for however many millions of dollars had all of those things going on in the world as well and now he most of made 100 million dollars etc..... He can use that money to help the world and is it so bad to buy something and a make a profit....

there probably was an underbidder willing to pay a few million less than the guy that bought it so its not like the new winner is just throwing money away like people buying mid grade 1960s sets.......plus the new winner has a chance to make millions as well

all of those things that go on in the world to me is important when someone losing 10k in the casino, not someone buying a Da Vinci

Sometimes the restoration is "just" removing varnish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t64g4XvSApc
https://www.liveleak.com/view?i=2c5_1510167630

Or for a better video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGE2mag-Vr8

The varnish protects, but it also yellows and retains "stuff" that's in the air.

Can soak it too! Sometimes an authentic can be a PSA 8 as well. So get it graded.

I know very little about the art world, but I understand cleaning and restorations are important and common. I thought I had read somewhere that DaVinci's "Last Supper" has been restored so may times that very little of the exposed painting was done with the original artist brush.

Just goes to show that not only can you not take it with you, you can't leave it behind either...at least, not without someone 'messing' with it.

.

could've bought the piece in 2003 for 5k...who cares about those sporting news ruths.

if you have the money, totally worth the half bill...only 15-20 verified authentic davinci's out there.

For that kind of money you few Carvaggios.

How about this in your mancave?
http://www.phaidon.com/resource/caravaggio-baroque.jpg

Why is "Jesus" holding a crystal ball? Painting has a goofy Dungeons and Dragons vibe going on.

There was a tongue in cheek article on this sale in the WSJ pointing out that in or around 1518 after da Vinci's death the Mona Lisa was, according to some, sold for about a half million in gold ducats ( today's equivalent) to Francis I. ( there are contrary views).

The article speculates that if this painting had sold at the same time for the same amount, and the painting was then held as an investment until this sale, the return on an annual basis would been less that 2 % per year

Yes!
I prefer Leonardo, Maybe Bosch, and a few others including a couple more modern artists, but that painting looks great.


One question I would ask, the painting was pretty much ignored for years, and wasn't thought of as Leonardos. How much would the restoration and research to attribute it somewhat solidly to Leonardo cost. I saw a show on a drawing that's probably his, but is controversial, and the experts they had examine it the equipment, and even just the flying the experts around Europe must have cost a small fortune.

Ship of Theseus...

Hey, If I didn't actually see him paint it, how do I know its real?...same as autographs, right? LOL