Leonardo's Salvator Mundi: Scholarship, Science and Skulduggery

[@mikeliteras9128]

Two points, and someone please correct me if I'm wrong: 1 With any portrait painted 'full face', with eyes directed straight out, will always appear as if the eyes follow the viewer if he moves around. Furthermore, any portrait painted 'full face' {or otherwise) if the eyes are askance, you will never find a position where they appear to look at you. 2 The properties of light passing through a crystal globe are unusual and unmistakable. That is to say, any part of a hand in contact with the bottom or top surface would only show as a thin distorted strip of colour around that inside edge of the globe. Any object or surface behind or above, and not in contact with the surface, will appear inverted both vertically and horizontally. This would include any fingers not touching the surface. This is NOT what is represented in the Salvator Mundi. Surely someone noted for his keen observation, knowledge of optics and painstaking approach to compositional accuracy Leonardo would NOT have missed that. Convince yourself with an image Google search of 'reflections through a crystal globe' and/or 'reflections through a crystal orb'.

[@toobalkain]

This guy makes a reasonably convincing case for Salvator Mundi being a Leonardo but opposing arguments are even more persuasive, especially concerning amateurism technical mistakes seen in no other Leonardo's work, as a perfectionist he wasn't prone to drawing crooked noses or asymmetrical eyes, or mis-framing the entire painting so there's not enough room left on either side.

[@philipmeisterl]

toobalkain i would like to think it is from leonardo because i kinda really like it what i think the idea might not have been his but it kinda looks like the hand and maybe the robe where of his making but i dont think the face was leonardos faces normaly look different more like the mona lisa it just flows the checks look like they are real the light and how it hits every part of it are just different (i kinda feel the same way about the hand it just looks right like it was from an angel)

[@juliekemp419]

It's so satisfying, in the best way, to listen to a true scholar. Mr Kemp draws in so much - high astronomy, depth psychology, profound theology and reforming history, especially of the West. Thank you Sir.

[@deborahponzioitaly]

Grande Martin Kemp!! Listening to him is always very special

[@yogeshkorde504]

Martin Kemp ...always unfolds new layers when it comes to Leonardo da Vinci..

[@Braham_the_Terror]

So glad I stumbled upon this lecture, incredible stuff!

[@vuphanq10]

35:34 you can't deny the quality of the fingers in Leonardo's painting. So simple and yet so sophisticated. It's like they have soul.

[@stevenhaywood1195]

Those fingers seem very likely to be by Leonardo himself. sttgaegoaktd

[@bigbulk688]

Disclaimer at the beginning that he could only vett the style of the painting not it's provenance speaks volumes about its authenticity.

[@dirtypure2023]

What's your opinion on authenticity? There's another version that may be the true original Salvator Mundi by Da Vinci. The speaker shows and mentions it near the beginning with a few other versions.

[@krystynabarakan4805]

As fine art restorer and good copiest I can say that the most essential characteristic in Leonardo all paintings is the way he painted his figures EYES. This only Leonardo's "foggy" eyes are very difficoult to copy.It is like he placed his soul in them.Impossible to make good copy or forge !.It took me many years to find what it is.

[@bengerman8609]

I believe Leonardo knew the power of eyes. In all too many cases a person's eyes are indeed the windows to their souls. My guess is that Leonardo felt the same way. The eyes he painted are masterful.

[@leefrankel4191]

This is a wonderfully informative and learned lecture.

[@adama.8188]

Fantastic. I enjoyed this lecture very much. Fascinating

[@conradosulit6260]

Leonardo da Vinci, created the Salvator Mundi as the Universal Language of the Holy Bible, that is the summary of the Holy Bible for everyone, no need to translate it into other language to be understood, because art has its own language and deep meaning for everyone.

[@NothingMaster]

To me this is essentially a painting by Dianne Dwyer Modestini and not Leonardo da Vinci. It’s a most masterful and meticulously-crafted work of complete recreation on top of an old Salvator Mundi painting in the school/tradition of da Vinci. But regardless of what it may or may not be, or who originally painted it, it has now been transformed into one of the most powerful and charismatic paintings/images that the world has ever seen. For me personally, it easily surpasses even the captivating beauty and magic of Mona Lisa. It is absolutely appalling that an irreplaceable masterpiece and a most astonishing work of art like that should now be in the possession of MBS - a savage and bloodthirsty murderer. This is a singular work of art that should be exhibited in a world class museum and open to viewing by the general public.

[@alexm566]

were the kings of England who owned it before any different?

[@devoted2him]

What a wonderful lecture! Very insightful

[@Fizzwhizz28]

I’m sure he said thousand instead of million...

[@englishtranslationsofrussi1022]

yes

[@stevenhaywood1195]

I have wondered many times whether a pupil such as Bernardino Luini had a hand in the actual painting of this work? Somehow the facial features seem too flat and unlike the faces of definite Leonardo works. cttgaegoaktd

[@robcoghan5204]

So,we still don't know where and who?

[@rich6076]

Good Lecture. really interesting. Martin Kemp looks like Professor Dent from Dr No. Anthony Dawson !!

[@luberies]

What a beautiful lecture! Mr. Martin Kemp would be one of Leonardo´s best intellectual friends!. I think, one must see Leonardo´s Salvator Mundi not only with the physical eyes, but with the whole heart. to appreciate it´s greatness! . This lecture is a trassure!

[@250467brettwinters]

Fantastic......you explain everything....in an understandable way thank you

[@thealchemistdaughter3405]

Just wonderful Thankyou so much for up loading, much appreciated.. @32.00 I see the outlines for Celtic knots rather than Islamic geometry.. I have used exactly this Celtic pattern as a frame for some of my watercolours.. Anyone else see this?

[@hollygolightly8048]

The Alchemist Daughter yes. It has been discussed and shown in other KZbin presentations.

[@thysvanzyl2782]

Beautiful Lecture. Martin Kemp also looks, speaks and sounds like Professor Proton from Big Bang Theory - Bob Newhart !

[@grec.]

Wow. Sr. Thank you for this wonderful insight into the mind of the genius himself.

[@marquamfurniture]

Except he's wrong.

[@natalyashakum4494]

Thank you very much 🙏

[@kiIIuminati]

So this magnificent paint would have been made by one of Leonardo’s painting student ? Kind of “sad” in my opinion, as I love Leonardo and this portrait, I would love that it would had been made by Leonardo himself. But as this paint, we can’t remove the strangeness surrounding this masterpiece. Thank you for all those informations, love from France !

[@elicastelli9728]

Who bought it? Still unknown. Why would critics / others in the know say Louvre Abu Dhabi bought it, advertise its launch twice and cancel because it was deemed dubious. Shame on them for misleading us. It sounds like its sitting in a Freeport somewhere - along with the Nahmad family's 300 Picassos worth $1 billion

[@TheresaNelson]

Caroline Cocciardi’s book on Leonardo’s Knots makes a convincing case for the $450 million “blue” Salvator Mundi being a studio copy while the red and blue “de Ganay” version being by Leonardo, as it has the characteristic knots found in the Mona LIsa and others of his paintings.

[@conradosulit6260]

Salvator Mundi created by Leonardo da Vinci, as the Universal Language of the Holy Bible. That is the summary of the Holy Bible for everyone, no need to translate it into other language to be understood, because art has its own language and deep meaning for everyone. Salvator Mundi painting is the real masterpiece of the genius artist.

[@tien4930]

Where in the painting does the stoning of children occur? I wonder

[@conradosulit6260]

@@tien4930 Quote by L d V, there are three classes of people. (1) those who see. (2) those who see when they are shown (3) those who don't see..

[@muthubhargavi]

Everything is ok ..but he dint draw salvator mundi

[@TheZenytram]

Davinci knew so much about opitcs and defraction on a curve surface, why the hell he did de crystal sphere as if it is a crystal disc?¿? This make no sense, i thought he was going to point it out but just skip throught it

[@brexander1]

Leonardo did successfully depict this orb as a crystal sphere; one only needs to look at the palm and fingers of the hand that hold it...behold Leonardo's choice of colours for the lighting, look at the knuckles, the nails...magnificent!

[@TheDaveSharman]

At 22.55 he says it sold for 400 thousand pounds at Christies, wow what a bargain, here's me thinking it sold for 400 million (450 with the fees) I guess the masters aren't selling for what they use to.

[@_indrid_cold_]

The deliberate mistake? ;-)

[@annlvselvis972]

Very odd, I wonder what next a newly discovered Michelangelo kerching!

[@zeecee5881]

That was highly enjoyable. Thank you.

[@domenicben1083]

I’ve heard all arguments why it is and why it isn’t a Leonardo but the question that hasn’t been asked by scholars and sceptics is why would a genius and progressive mind like Leonardo want to draw a version of the Salvatore Mundi ? The gaps in the provenance of this painting is but another question.

[@QED_]

It's ironic if the Saudis own the painting . . . since the Wahabi clerics that run that country would consider the paint idolatrous and worthy of destruction.

[@annascott3542]

Exactly what I was thinking!! Why and to what end?

[@johnmontag]

Very informative

[@sebastianmelmoth685]

No way this is by the hand of a master. I'd eat all of my flake white paint and wash it down with turpentine if this is by Leonardo.

[@frank327]

Brilliant lecture, delivered superbly.

[@KillRoYzMilitaryMaN]

the 3 dots, summer triangle

[@conradosulit6260]

Holy Trinity.

[@10.6.12.]

Is this what passes as scholarship now? Shoot the arrow and then paint the target around it!

[@sabrinanascimento5248]

Then my plate of the Beatles. Nobody is getting that either. Could be worth something.

[@Joey0017]

How in god's name is this painting gone missing????! What a mystery?

[@alexkappeler201]

Interesting

[@10.6.12.]

Even if this were an original LDV it is so over conserved and painted that it has become something else . It is a scandal!!!!!

[@thetourist6567]

it was once a work of Leonardo, but for the makeover! after that it was completely ruined, now it is a painting whose warmth and detail are gone the colors are not as leonardo made them, but it was once a leonardo, you look at an overpainted artwork, shame if you like art, now it is the someone else painting, with the signature of leonardo 😡

[@marquamfurniture]

Doesn't matter. It's NOT a work by Leonardo.

[@opulenceluxury8548]

This guy has allowed his ego to get the better of him. A lack of academic rigour and a strong confirmation bias. His assertation "we know Leonardo painted a SM" is based on pure speculation. He is selectively cherry picking evidence to back his claim, presenting speculative narrative as fact. Conveniently ignoring all evidence to the contrary.

[@AntiKirby1992]

evidence like?

[@jungwirthmartin]

@@AntiKirby1992 kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKmxqIp7f6Z9nc0, i think that there are so many mistakes and imperfection on the painting proving that it was never painted by perfectionist Leonardo da Vinci, but it is business of the century. But the fact is, Leonardo would never ever make so many mistakes on his painting

[@opulenceluxury8548]

@@AntiKirby1992 To me the biggest elephant in the room is Jesus was historically painted in red with a blue shoul. Leonardo himself painted him thus in the last supper. For some reason Leonardo is supposed to suddenly break with religious tradition and paint a blue Salvator Mundi. "It's possible" you might say. But then you have to accept that his devoted students all changed the bold statement of the master by returning to red in theirs? Money is driving this Foley. There is scant evidence Leonardo did a SM, no evidence that King Charles had this one. The engraving is intriguing but that is all as there is another much more likely candidate. You need to make 3 or 4 significant leaps of faith to suggest this is by Leonardo's hand. The glass orb is painted with uncharacteristic naivety. Lasty and quite importantly the painting is compositionally ordinary, dare I say it dull, in my mind not the work of the greatest artist of his generation.

[@sabrinanascimento5248]

It’s Da Vinci not Campbell’s Soup cans of Andy Warhol.

[@geekychick131]

Well it was found on a super yacht off the coast of Saudi Arabia

[@michafilip7218]

a Spanish pensionary should have a go at restoring this painting

[@southfloridaarcheryguy114]

The freshly dyed hair is such a distraction on a gentleman of his age. Does he still believe that painting is a Leonardo?

[@me2525]

I assume you are a more accomplished art historian than him? Please enlighten the world on your knowledge of this painting which you have never seen in person.

[@Braham_the_Terror]

I think it suits his face and vibe very well!

[@andybaldman]

We're waiting.

[@natalyashakum4494]

😊

[@nixbronowski5822]

Its a Fake. Just my opinion.

[@mendozabensouzan744]

No proof of authorship whatsoever but lots of historical waffle to pad out the conclusion

[@maxlimbo007]

Not a Da Vinci. Perhaps a student in studio. Leonardo never painted a picture with the subject straight on.... All his pictures have the subject turned to a side. Plus this picture is plain ugly.

[@toddthornley1039]

I had a very similar thought after looking at all his portrait works.However I think that, as stated in the lecture, it is a set piece and that this is his version of the painting which is painted traditionally facing forward. I think there is a lot of evidence in favor of Leonardo painting this work, but I remain slightly skeptical. Would love to see some more detailed analysis of the painting.

[@bigbulk688]

Art world works on opinion of then experts. It’s very possible that in 10-20 years it’ll again be demoted to fake/copy. There are 1000s such examples. And this one would sure qualify for this in our own lifetime. I think that’s another reason they r keeping it away from museum kinda setting to avoid public scrutiny.

[@Viothon]

Its a Da Vinici and it is not ugly at all, this was an iconography of Jesus and he was following a convention that was followed at the time.

[@devoted2him]

Thanks Prof 😂

[@sabrinanascimento5248]

I still have my 1940 ish Portrait of Christ knocking at the door. I am going to hold onto it. Then the baby portrait it looks really old as well. Nobody is getting it.

[@jamesyue1348]

The main reason why it is so attractive is because of the price tag nothing else

[@cooterhoohaandtheprairieoy6156]

fake

[@رمضانالبرنس-ت8ج]

I have a plate. Artist Kamal Pissarro. I want to sell it.

[@Lars-rj9en]

obviously a fake, not even a proven Leonardo has so many "Leonardo traits" in it, it's like an AI version of Leonardo, so not subtle, like ten times too much sfumato

[@sj4632]

Picture is mediocre.

[@andybaldman]

And so are you.

[@adama.8188]

Fantastic. I enjoyed this lecture very much. Fascinating