Salvator Mundi, the World's Most Expensive Painting, Goes Digital as an NFT

Salvator Mundi to Enter the Digital Realm as an NFT

The Salvator Mundi, a masterpiece attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, which was previously auctioned for a staggering $450.3 million, is set to transition into the digital world. On 12 August, this iconic artwork, presently in the possession of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, will be minted as a non-fungible token (NFT).

ElmonX and Bridgeman Images Lead the Transformation

ElmonX, a prominent digital assets platform, in collaboration with the international image licensing company Bridgeman Images, is spearheading this groundbreaking initiative. This partnership has previously converted classic artworks like Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Rodin’s The Thinker, and Monet’s Nymphéas into NFTs. These digital versions have attracted considerable attention and have achieved notable financial success. For instance, an ElmonX artist-proof Mona Lisa was recently resold on the OpenSea NFT marketplace for 3.7 ETH, which is approximately $6,764.

Bridgeman Images has expressed their excitement about this project, stating, “As the world’s leading specialists in licensing fine art, cultural, and historical media for reproduction, we are thrilled to work with ElmonX, who are pioneers in NFT art creation.” However, the financial specifics of this venture have not been disclosed. A representative from Bridgeman Images elaborated that they license their images to ElmonX in a manner consistent with their standard procedures for commercial endeavors.

The Enigmatic History of Salvator Mundi

The Salvator Mundi itself has a multifaceted backstory. A comprehensive account of every pivotal event in the painting’s 500-year history was documented last year. Initially offered at Christie’s New York in 2017 for more than $100 million, the Salvator Mundi was purchased by an anonymous phone bidder, who was later identified as the Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman. The current whereabouts of the artwork remain unknown.

In an intriguing twist in 2021, author Ben Lewis created an NFT that depicted the Salvator Mundi holding dollars, replacing the conventional crystal orb. As the realms of digital and traditional art converge, there's no doubt that the paradigm of art appreciation and acquisition is undergoing a significant transformation.