The NFT World to Star Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi

Leonardo da Vinci’s famous art piece, Salvator Mundi — currently held in the arms of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud — is set to evolve into an NFT on August 12.

Valuing a colossal $450 million, secured in a jaw-dropping auction at Christie’s New York, this iconic illustration of Christ holding a crystal orb is ready to feature on the blockchain. This digital revolution is led by the digital asset platform ElmonX, in tandem with the firm behind image licensing of famous masterpieces, Bridgeman Images.

Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece: Salvator Mundi 🔮

Rediscovered, restored, and auctioned for a record-breaking USD 450,312,500 in 2017, making it the world’s most expensive artwork ever sold 📈

Two digital collectibles drop Saturday 12th August 9AM PT only on… pic.twitter.com/nAppalhFSC

— ElmonX (@elmonx_official) August 8, 2023

Artistic Shifts in the Age of Technology

Already, Bridgeman Images is famous for digitalizing other masterpieces under its alliance, including da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Rodin’s The Thinker, and Monet’s Nymphéas. The Mona Lisa NFT, in particular, gained an incredible response, with 330 limited editions selling for £150 a piece and selling on secondary marketplaces for considerably more — one of these NFTs, in particular, was acquired on OpenSea for a hefty $6,764 (3.7 ETH). 

Looking back at the eventful journey of the Salvator Mundi, Christie’s New York 2017 edition was big news. Estimated to sell across the $100 million mark, the artwork sparked intense bidding rivalry before being procured by a call-in competitor — later revealed as Saudi Arabia’s crown prince — for a shocking price tag of $450.3 million (with additional fees on top).

The Salvator Mundi NFT is sparking curiosity due to the NFT sector going through troublesome times. For instance, the most expensive NFT ever sold, Beeple’s ‘Everydays—The First 5000 Days‘, was purchased for a whopping $69.3 million through Christie’s in 2021. Sales in the general NFT market have shrunk by more than 83% since.

Nevertheless, regardless of the NFT sector’s future, the initiative to share, preserve and reinvent classic art in digital mediums affirms an innovative approach to artistic expression. As technology continues to enhance the arts, renowned pieces remain relevant, regardless of the domain it populates. 

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