Watch The Lost Leonardo

The Lost Leonardo, a documentary from 2021, is a fascinating chronicle of the convoluted journey of Leonardo da Vinci's painting, 'Salvator Mundi.' The film explores the painting's mysterious origins, its discovery in 2005, and its eventual sale for a record-breaking $450 million in 2017. Martin Kemp, a world-renowned art historian, is the film's primary commentator. He provides insight into the painting's unique features and how it differs from Leonardo's other works. The film also features interviews with several other experts in the field, including dealers, curators, and art collectors.

The documentary delves into the painting's murky origins and questions surrounding its authenticity. The painting was discovered in 2005, in a New Orleans auction house, advertised as 'an old master' by an American art dealer. The painting was listed at an incredibly low price of $10,000-$15,000. However, questions about the painting's authenticity emerged, and the work soon found its way to a restoration expert in New York.

The painting's restoration process took several years, with the experts undertaking various tests to authenticate the work. The documentary reveals many details about the restoration itself, including the use of X-rays, infrared imaging, and pigment analysis.

The film then explores the painting's sale and the drama surrounding it. After a bidding war, the painting was sold for a record-breaking $450 million in 2017. The buyer was later revealed to be Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Mohammad Bin Salman.

The sale of the painting was bittersweet for many people involved in its journey. For some, it represented the achievement of a lifelong dream, while for others, it felt like the loss of a cultural artifact. The documentary deftly explores the various perspectives of those involved in the painting's journey and the different emotions it evokes.

The Lost Leonardo is a visually stunning documentary, with stunning shots of the painting itself and the various locations where it was studied and restored. The film does an excellent job of capturing the painting's haunting beauty, and the commentary from the experts is insightful and informative.

Overall, The Lost Leonardo is a compelling and thought-provoking documentary that delves deep into the complexities of art ownership and authenticity. It raises important questions about the value we place on cultural artifacts and explores the blurred lines between art and commerce. Anyone interested in art, history, or the cultural impact of the art market will find this film engaging and informative.

The Lost Leonardo is a 2021 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 79.