NYT: The Saudi Kronprintz turned out to be a real buyer of the Savior of the World. It was he who started anti -corruption cleaning in the country

The real buyer of Leonardo da Vincer’s painting “Savior Peace” for $ 450.3 million was the Cronprint of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman, several sources told the New York Times. The deal was made through Prince Bader Bin Abdullah Bin Mohammed bin Farhan al Saud.

Bader does not have any well-known sources of a large state that would allow him to buy a picture of da Vinci. In addition, the prince did not express interest in collecting art objects.

Bader - a longtime friend of Bin Salman - also performed for him in the quality of the agent to develop a resort complex for princes from his family, the newspaper writes. Cronprint also appointed Bader to lead the Saudi media company, which is controlled by the ruling dynasty of Salmanov.

According to NYT, it was Kronprints who funded the purchase of a picture. The Savior of the World will be transferred to the Louvre branch in Abu Dhabi, the UAE. It is not known whether they gave a picture or leased. As the newspaper recalls, the Crown Prince Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zaeda is a close ally of Salman.

Officially, the buyer’s identity has not been disclosed: without the permission of the seller and the buyer, this information is not discussed.

Just two weeks before the auction, anti-corruption purges began in Saudi Arabia-princes and famous investors and entrepreneurs (among them were the grandson of the founder of Saudi Arabia Abdul-Aziz Al Saud), including relatives of the Kronprints, turned out to be detained. It is he who is behind the fight against corruption. Although it is also possible that Bin Salman thus decided to strengthen his position.

After the sale of the Savior of the World, it became the most expensive picture of the auctions implemented at public auctions. The canvas belonged to the Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, he acquired it for $ 127.5 million. The Savior of the World was the only picture of da Vinci, which was in a private collection.