It’s so crazy, it might be true. A French newspaper claims to know that the Leonardo was bought by an investment consortium:
According to our information, this is not another billionaire seized with an irrational exuberance who has made a nine-figure check, but two investment funds acting in concert and in connection with several major museums. All under the leadership of a major player in the art market, a market maker. The assembly is clever. The work thus financed may be sold or rented for several years to major museums which may exhibit it in turn. After seven to nine years of rental, the lessor may exercise his right of first refusal to buy it back to its residual value.
Why buying a 450 million dollar Leonardo da Vinci painting is not irrational (LJDD)
