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The world ’s most expensive picture , which may or may not have been painted byLeondardo da Vinci , may or may not make an appearance at a new expo at Paris ' Louvre this Thursday , harmonise to Agence France - Presse ( AFP ) , a French news bureau .

The painting , style " Salvator Mundi , " depicts Jesus holding a transparent globe in one helping hand and gesturing a blessing with the other . In 2017 , the work of artsold for $ 450 millionat a Christie ’s auction to an undisclosed purchaser .

Leonardo da Vinci�s "Salvator Mundi" sold for $450 million in 2017.

Leonardo da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi” sold for $450 million in 2017.

The picture ’s whereabouts since the auction is unknown . At first , The Wall Street Journal reported that the Saudi-Arabian prince Badr bin Abdullah bought the painting for the Saudi crown prince , Mohammed bin Salman , but then the United Arab Emirates civilisation ministry harbinger that their country owned " Salvator Mundi " and that it was to go on display at the Louvre Abu Dhabi in September 2018 , according to the AFP . It never did .

Related:25 Secrets of ' Mona Lisa ' Revealed

spectacular art dealer Kenny Schachter , citing two source involve in the sales event , told the AFP that the house painting is making its rounds on bin Salman ’s yacht , the Serene .

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The mystery around the picture ’s place of origin is as big as the mystery of its location . There is a debate in the prowess world about whether da Vinci actually paint " Salvator Mundi " or it was   create by one of his prentice . Those who claim it is not a da Vinci painting note that one of Jesus ' fingers is bad paint and that the painting is n’t observe in any of da Vinci ’s correspondence , accord to the AFP .

Paris ' Louvre has asked Abu Dhabi to lend the museum the house painting for an upcoming da Vinci exposition , but that request is still pending . Considering the mystery of the picture ’s whereabouts , it ’s unlikely , but not impossible , that " Salvator Mundi " will be at the Louvre ’s upcoming da Vinci expo , consort to the AFP .

Originally published onLive scientific discipline .

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