The Lost Leonardo

Here is a documentary that plays like a mystery thriller. All the events navigate the discovery, sale, re-sale, auction sale, and disappearance of the most expensive painting of all time... 'Salvator Mundi' by (perhaps) Leonardo da Vinci. It is a fascinating, riveting story of art, restoration, lore, provenance, and astronomical financial power. It is superb.

History, intrigue, international politics, gorgeous art work and lots and lots of money are the ingredients for a fascinating tale well told.

Saw this at Tribeca Film Festival. Fascinating story with many twists. Recommended for everyone interested to know more about the (dark side of the) art world.

This documentary is less about whether or not "Salvator Mundi" is by Leonardo da Vinci, and more about the shady ways the mega-rich use art as investments, to transport currency, as tax havens, and as political capital.

Sadly, none of these super rich people lose money in opaque transactions. The crooks who started it all made 83 million USD. The incompetent curator from the National Gallery in London didn't lose his job after lying about the painting being authenticated, and certainly retained his bribe. The ruthless Russian oligarch not only didn't lose money, as expected, but almost quadrupled it from 120 mil USD to 450 mil USD.

It's frustrating and disheartening to see the insatiable greed of those who have more than they know what to do with, but I am glad I watched this documentary, and learned something.

Overall this was a very good documentary, we learnt much about the shady art world and big money.

The outcome was unexpected when the Louvre authenticated the painting despite the level of repairs on the damaged painting and the owner was a Saudi Prince. I did feel slightly sorry for the restorer and everyone was questioning her integrity, despite the fact she was merely doing her job, even though she did get a cut of the first sale. I thought the painting looked the business.

I not sure we were overly worried about the Russian as he made £400 million.

I'm giving this an 8 outta 10 as I was gripped.