Some fifteen years ago the art world was aghast over what was called the biggest discovery of the 21st century: a newly found painting by Leonardo Da Vinci. Originally bought for about $1000, it eventually sold at auction for an astounding record breaking 450 million Euros. But was all what it seemed? Was the painting really by Da Vinci? And who was the mysterious buyer? And who were the shadowy middle men and agents taking their cuts? Was the whole art world just one large international scam operation? In a fascinating new documentary film, Savior For Sale: Da Vinci’s Lost Masterpiece? the full tangled story is explored. I was happy to interview the director and writer of Savior For Sale, filmmaker Antoine Vitkine.
Click the triangle or mp3 link above to hear my interview with Antoine, as broadcast today on Arts Express on WBAI FM NYC, and Pacifica stations across the country.
Nice interview. Everything Mr. Vitkine said rang true in relation to all the research I did to make a documentary about the painting from an artist’s perspective. I haven’t been able to see his video yet. Looking forward to it.
Here’s mine, by the way, which focuses more of the problem of the restoration — what Antoine called Modestivinci! — and that what we see now is not a da Vinci: https://youtu.be/2DiPcM4Duaw
Thanks, Eric. I’ve just begun viewing your video, and it looks like a very interesting companion piece. Thanks for sharing your views about it.
and there is The Lost Leonardo playing at Film Forum the last couple of weeks. Even beyond the appalling big numbers and corruption, I thought The Lost Leonardo was a fascinating glimpse of the whole world of art expertise and restoration. New to me anyway. Seemed there were talented people in it actually for the love of what they were doing. Will check out these other sources. Ummm, pretty sure Vitkine movie is different than the one on Film Forum. Jack, once again, thanks for posting. Movie at Film Forum, btw: https://www.sonyclassics.com/film/thelostleonardo/
Hi Richard. Yes, it’s a hot topic now–they are different movies. I haven’t seen The Lost Leonardo so I can’t really comment on it. For me, largely clueless with regard to matters of visual art, it’s all fascinating.