Plot Analysis Summary
Tracing the journey of a disputed painting through restoration, deception, and record-breaking sales.
Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases
The Sleeper Acquisition
Parish and Simon purchase a seemingly ordinary painting for a low price, believing it holds hidden value. They commission Dianne Modestini for an extensive restoration that reveals pentimento and Leonardo-style techniques, sparking initial excitement.
Key Events
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Auction Purchase in New Orleans — Parish and Simon buy the painting for $1,175, believing it is a hidden masterpiece.
Location: New Orleans Auction House
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Modestini's Restoration — Modestini cleans the painting, revealing pentimento and Leonardo-style techniques.
Location: New York Restoration Studio
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Engaging Warren Adelson — The owners hire dealer Warren Adelson to handle the painting's future.
Location: New York
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Restoration Credit Debate — Experts debate Modestini's role, with Zöllner calling parts her masterpiece.
Location: Art Restoration Community
Authentication & Exhibition
The owners engage Warren Adelson and present the work to Luke Syson at the National Gallery. Despite ambiguous expert reviews, Syson controversially labels it as Leonardo's work for an exhibition, triggering Sotheby's initial listing.
Key Events
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Engaging Warren Adelson — The owners hire dealer Warren Adelson to handle the painting's future.
Location: New York
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National Gallery Review — Syson asks experts to view the work, but authentication remains ambiguous.
Location: National Gallery, London
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Controversial Exhibition Inclusion — Syson includes the painting in a Leonardo exhibition labeled as his work.
Location: National Gallery Exhibition
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Sotheby's Initial Listing — Sotheby's lists the painting at $200 million but finds little interest.
Location: Sotheby's Auction House
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Financial Interest Concealment — Modestini declines to disclose her financial stake, citing generous payment.
Location: Private Meeting
The Bouvier Deception
Yves Bouvier enters the market, negotiating with Sotheby's while secretly inflating the price for billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev. The deception is eventually uncovered, leading to intense legal battles that ruin Bouvier financially.
Key Events
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Sotheby's Initial Listing — Sotheby's lists the painting at $200 million but finds little interest.
Location: Sotheby's Auction House
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Berlin Expert Rejection — Experts decline, noting heavy restoration and pupil involvement.
Location: Gemäldegalerie, Berlin
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Bouvier Enters the Market — Bouvier shows the painting to billionaire Rybolovlev, positioning himself as dealer.
Location: Freeport Storage
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Poker Player Negotiation — Bouvier hires a poker player to negotiate an $83 million price.
Location: Sotheby's Negotiation Room
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The $127.5 Million Lie — Bouvier tells Rybolovlev the price is $127.5 million, hiding his commission.
Location: Rybolovlev's Office
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Legal Pursuit Begins — Rybolovlev discovers the deception and initiates legal action against Bouvier.
Location: French Courts
The Christie's Record Sale
Christie's takes over the sale, marketing the painting as the male Mona Lisa with a high-profile promotional video. The auction breaks global records, selling for $450 million to an anonymous buyer later revealed to be Mohammed bin Salman.
Key Events
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Legal Pursuit Begins — Rybolovlev discovers the deception and initiates legal action against Bouvier.
Location: French Courts
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Christie's Portfolio Sale — Christie's markets the painting as the male Mona Lisa for a portfolio sale.
Location: Christie's Auction House
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Record $450 Million Sale — The painting sells for $400 million plus $50 million commission, breaking records.
Location: Christie's Auction Floor
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Buyer Identity Leaks — Reports leak that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is the buyer.
Location: Global Media
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Louvre Exhibition Prep — bin Salman visits with Macron; a museum shop publication authenticates the work.
Location: The Louvre, Paris
The Louvre Withdrawal
Preparations for a major Louvre exhibition falter as the buyer refuses to display the painting alongside the Mona Lisa. The museum denies an authenticating publication, and the painting is ultimately withdrawn, sparking speculation about a private Saudi museum.
Key Events
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Louvre Exhibition Prep — bin Salman visits with Macron; a museum shop publication authenticates the work.
Location: The Louvre, Paris
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Publication Withdrawn — The Louvre denies the publication's official status and removes it from shelves.
Location: The Louvre Shop
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Painting Withdrawn from Exhibition — The painting fails to appear at the exhibition due to display disputes.
Location: The Louvre Exhibition Hall
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Yacht Storage Speculation — Word spreads the painting is kept on bin Salman's yacht instead of the museum.
Location: Private Yacht
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Saudi Museum Plans — Speculation emerges that bin Salman plans a dedicated museum in Saudi Arabia.
Location: Saudi Arabia
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Bouvier's Financial Ruin — Bouvier claims he has lost everything following the legal battles.
Location: Global Assets
London, England, 2008. Some of the most distinguished experts on the work of Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) gather at the National Gallery to examine a painting known as Salvator Mundi; an event that turns out to be the first act of one of the most fascinating stories in the history of art.
