Ben Lewis - The Last Leonardo: The Secret Lives of the World’s Most Expensive Painting (EN)

The Last Leonardo: The Secret Lives of the World’s Most Expensive Painting by Ben Lewis is a fascinating investigation into the turbulent history of Salvator Mundi, a painting attributed to Leonardo da Vinci that became the most expensive artwork ever sold at auction.

Lewis delves into the painting’s mysterious origins, its rediscovery in 2005, the controversies surrounding its restoration and attribution, and the shadowy world of art dealings and auctions that ultimately led to its record-breaking $450 million sale in 2017. The book explores not just the painting itself but the broader themes of art, authenticity, commerce, and power, raising critical questions about what makes a work valuable and who gets to decide its legitimacy.