“Salvato Mundi, The Santel Version”
Inspiration & Technique
18 x 24
Encaustic on panel
There are two possible paintings that Leonardo Da Vinci may have done of Salvator Mundi. Two versions; “The Ganay” and “ The Cook.” In November 2018, they authenticated “The Cook” version, and it sold for $450 million. I watched videos on the countless theories and read about why one was the real Leonardo over the other… I decided to make my own version of “ Salvator Mundi” out of wax.
I used elements from both versions and even added my own and some hidden messages. I thought the Cook version was obviously redone so many times that the restored version was far from what it once was. I liked the Omega fold from The Ganay version but I liked the coloring of the Cook version.
Below is a list of both versions and what some art historians believe to be evidence that The Cook version is not a Leonardo and also some evidence that it is. Either way here is my version made out of wax:
“Salvator Mundi, The Santel Version”
- Pentimento (small changes) was found on The Cook version on the thumb
- The omega fold in The Ganay version and was in Leonardo’s sketchbook
- On The Cook version sides of nostrils don’t line up with corners
- On The Cook version the eye on left was higher; The Ganay was opposite
- On The Cook version, the mouth doesn’t line up
- Could they have been done with the same drawing cartooned to transfer drawing?
- Leonardo was known to use transfers or cartoons
- The Ganay is bigger and showed knuckles
- The Cook version is smaller and chopped off
