Bibliograph

The last Leonardo, the secret lives of the world's most expensive painting, Ben Lewis

Type

Label

The last Leonardo, the secret lives of the world's most expensive painting, Ben Lewis

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages 325-334) and index

Illustrations

illustrationsplates

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

The last Leonardo

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

1090755574

Responsibility statement

Ben Lewis

Sub title

the secret lives of the world's most expensive painting

Summary

For two centuries art dealers had searched in vain for the Holy Grail of art history: a portrait of Christ as the Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci. In November 2017, Christie's auction house announced they had it. Its $450 million sale price makes it the world's most expensive painting. But is it really Leonardo's work? Lewis takes us to Leonardo's studio in Renaissance Italy; to the court of Charles I and the English Civil War; to the galleries, salerooms, and restorer's workshop. A twisting tale of double-crossings and disappearances, this is the tale of a search for lost treasure, and a quest for the truth. -- adapted from jacket

Table Of Contents

Prologue: The legend of Leonardo -- Part one -- Flight to London -- The walnut knot -- Buried treasure -- Paper, chalk, lapis -- Zing! -- The blue clue -- Vinci, Vincia, Vinsett -- Part two -- The king's painting -- Little Leonardos -- The Salvador switch -- The resurrection -- Lost in a crowd -- The high Council -- Entertainer and engineer -- The greatest show on earth -- Look, Cook forsook -- Offshore icon -- LDV RIP -- Nineteen minutes -- There is a house in New Orleans -- Mirage in the desert -- Fragile state -- Afterword

Target audience

adult

Classification