Art Market Monitor

Global Coverage ~ Unique Analysis

  • AMMpro
  • AMM Fantasy Collecting Game
  • Podcast
  • Contact Us

Daily Mail Says Regional Rivalry Drove Leonardo Bidding

March 29, 2018 by Marion Maneker

File this under stories too good to check. Update: And Christie’s has officially poured cold water on it, calling the story “pure fantasy” (adding that no bidder can directly or indirectly bid against himself in a sale.)

Once the information came out that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was behind the $450m purchase of Leonardo’s Salvator Mundi at Christie’s last Fall, the immediate question running through the art world was, “who was the underbidder?”

The Daily Mail now claims it was the UAE’s ruler, Mohammed bin Zayed on the other side. Each Gulf potentate had sent a proxy to the auction with instructions not to lose out to their rivals in Qatar whom both assumed would be the other bidder:

‘The bidding started to get high, and each of them thought they were bidding against the Qataris, and didn’t want them to get it,’ said one source close to the Emirati leader.

‘So they gave their proxies instructions, saying ‘you can go as high as you want, just make sure you get it’.

‘It got to $450 million and the Emiratis gave up. Then s**t hit the fan when the record came out.

‘MBZ [Mohammed Bin Zayed] told Salman: “That was us bidding for it, why didn’t you tell me?”‘

Two Arab princes in $450m bidding war for Da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi | (Daily Mail Online)

More from Art Market Monitor

  • Yes, It’s a Leonardo. Stop Calling It a Fake.Yes, It’s a Leonardo. Stop Calling It a Fake.
  • Is the Leonardo Record a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy for Salvator Mundi’s Fame?Is the Leonardo Record a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy for Salvator Mundi’s Fame?
  • Brooke Lampley on Leonardo Buyer’s ToleranceBrooke Lampley on Leonardo Buyer’s Tolerance
  • Watch Salvator Mundi Become the Most Expensive Work of Art SoldWatch Salvator Mundi Become the Most Expensive Work of Art Sold
  • This Is What the Buyer of the Leonardo Is Paying ForThis Is What the Buyer of the Leonardo Is Paying For
  • Christie’s Can’t Wait, New York Sales Move to October with $25 M. Cézanne AnnouncementChristie’s Can’t Wait, New York Sales Move to October with $25 M. Cézanne Announcement

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Christie's, Leonardo

About Marion Maneker

LiveArt

Want to get Art Market Monitor‘s posts sent to you in our email? Sign up below by clicking on the Subscribe button.

  • About Us/ Contact
  • Podcast
  • AMMpro
  • Newsletter
  • FAQ

twitterfacebooksoundcloud
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
California Privacy Rights
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Advertise on Art Market Monitor
 

Loading Comments...