Leonardo da Vinci's 'Salvator Mundi' | 2017 World Auction Record | Christie's

The breathtaking $450 million (including buyer's premium) sale of Salvator Mundi generates headlines across the world, garlanding a superb week of sales in which nine works realise more than $10 million, a further eight surpass $20 million, and three works fetch over $50 million.

An historic season at Christie’s in New York finished on Thursday, with the final total across seven sales hitting $1,421,993,000 / £1,082,817,271. The highlight was the extraordinary 19-minute bidding battle for Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi in Wednesday’s Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale, culminating in the work being sold for a world-auction record price of $450,312,500 (including buyer’s premium).

The depth and quality of art offered across the week was remarkable, with nine works realising more than $10 million, a further eight being acquired for in excess of $20 million, and three achieving more than $50 million.

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[psumiz]

I cant even afford to make a roaming call for that long

[markus]

Crazy to believe that this piece was sold in 1958 for £45.

[silverskyfinsol]

For that kind of money I expect Leonardo himself to get back to earth and hand deliver it himself.

[twansigmond]

These guys are just bidding the entire gdp of an African country

[craigstethson]

Did I search for this: no

Did I stay and watch the whole thing: yes

[ajones]

Amazing auctioneer, literally at the height of his game!

[AndorranStairway]

This just shows how crazy the wealth disparity is in the world. Being a multi-millionaire already gives you a life of super luxury. But this auction is not just amongst billionaires, but multi-billionaires. And even multi-billionaires still couldn’t compete with the wealth of a Saudi Arabian Prince. It’s absolutely insane

[christianemmanuelpicio]

And here I am putting water into my shampoo bottle.

Edit: hatdog

[nateF]

pawnstarts be like:
$1000 take it or leave it.

[nikitakucherov]

If I could borrow $399.9 million I still couldn’t afford to buy that painting

[carmenreed]

The casual dismissal of the $95M bid was EVERYTHING!

[danohalloran]

*Someone puts their phone in the air to take a picture*

“And we have £410 million”

[mrarmaan]

Anyone else waiting for some guy to burst in through the door : " *1 billion dollars* "

[philyoutuber]

$400, 000, 000 on a painting is a mad flex

[Hillary-tpir]

Videos like this makes me feel like crying when I look at my account balance 😢

[GawBil]

Rich guy on phone: “I have to go mate. Just bid $400mm and bring it home.”

[christopherbudden]

You know they’re rich when they’re bidding by ten million steps.

[highwind]

Westside Gunn's album brought me here. Incredible opening to an album honestly

[jessiejoseph]

I saw this painting up close and personal in SF on preview. No plexigass barrier, the painting was 8 feet from me and it was thrilling. It made me cry. They also previewed all the modern art that would be auctioned on the same day. It was an experience of a lifetime.

[elyjohnfilms]

This bidder bumping the price of the bid like it’s nothing