The Lost Leonardo
The Lost Leonardo

Movie spotlight

The Lost Leonardo

2021
Movie
95 min
English

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.

Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes95%
Metacritic77/100
Google Users94%
Director: Andreas KoefoedGenres: Documentary, Mystery

Plot Summary

This documentary investigates the discovery and controversy surrounding 'Salvator Mundi,' a painting attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. It traces the painting's journey from a questionable restoration to its record-breaking sale at Christie's, exploring the experts, collectors, and dealers involved in its tumultuous history. The film delves into the complex authentication process and the heated debates that have arisen, questioning its true authorship and provenance.

Critical Reception

The Lost Leonardo received widespread critical acclaim for its compelling storytelling, meticulous research, and engaging exploration of art authentication and the art market's inherent drama. Critics praised its ability to unravel a complex mystery with clarity and suspense, highlighting its examination of ego, greed, and the subjective nature of art criticism.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its intricate and suspenseful investigation into the 'Salvator Mundi' painting.

  • Applauded for its insightful look at the art world's complexities, including authentication and market manipulation.

  • Noted for its engaging narrative and ability to make a potentially dry subject matter fascinating.

Google audience: Google users overwhelmingly appreciated the documentary's deep dive into the 'Salvator Mundi' mystery. They found it to be a thoroughly researched and captivating film that effectively exposes the intrigue and debate surrounding the artwork's authenticity and its high-profile sale.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Documentary at the British Independent Film Awards.

Fun Fact

The documentary deliberately keeps the viewer guessing about the painting's true authorship, mirroring the ongoing debate among art historians and experts.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

I think what fascinated me most about this was the idea that even today, with all of our scientific and chemical technology - we still cannot say for certain whether this painting is actually real! I recall the fuss at the time around the w...