The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman has been in the news in recent times, notably for being the driving force behind the ancient kingdom’s modernisation efforts.
He has also been noted for his hard stance against corruption. In a recent move believed to be a bid to consolidate power, he ordered the arrest of senior members of the royal family and key past and present government officials linked to corruption.
But the Crown Prince is in the news for something else this time. He has been found to be the anonymous buyer of the Jesus’ painting by Leonard Da Vinci which last month broke records as the most-expensive painting ever sold at auction at $450 million.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the ‘Salvatore Mundi’ painting was bought by the Crown Prince known as MBS through an intermediary.
The painting which is believed to have been painted around 1500 is the last known work of polymath Leonardo Da Vinci in the hands of a private collector.
The painting will be displayed at the Louvre Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.