A splendid example of the Salvator Mundi, or Christ as Saviour of the World.

Joos van Cleve was a leading painter in early 16th Century Flanders. He and his thriving workshop painted multiple versions of this theme, one of which is on display in the Louvre (https://collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/53355/cl010061781). We classify our painting as “Follower of Joos van Cleve” as it is not by the Master himself but by a close follower.

The most famous example of a Salvator Mundi is, of course, the painting attributed (by some!) to the hand of Leonardo da Vinci, which as of today is the most expensive painting every sold at auction, for $450 million in 2017.

Our painting follows the same iconography other Salvator Mundi paintings, including the da Vinci. Christ faces forward, making a blessing with his right hand and with his left hand resting on a globe.

Christ holds his hand with his thumb and two fingers pointed up, a typical blessing gesture that may date back to pre-Christian eras, where similar gestures were used to ward off evil.

The translucent globe on Christ’s left is beautifully rendered, and we see Christ’s hand through it in perfect perspective. A decorative metal band divides the globe into three sections: meant to signify the three known parts of the world at that time: Europe, Africa and Asia. A jewelled crucifix, painted in intricate detail, sits atop the globe, symbolising – of course – Christ’s own crucifixion, by which he became the saviour of the world.

Christ’s bright red robe gives the painting a majestic quality, fitting for the King of Kings. The role is filled with detail on the sleeves and fringes over Christ’s breast. Here the robe is held together by an ornate jewel, styled similarly to the crucifix and connecting him visually and symbolically to it.

This jewel, in fact hold Christ’s robe together, and the artist has shown how the jewel has pulled the garment tight, with realistic folds resulting on both sides. You might even say the jewel holds the entire painting together.

The figure of Christ himself is painted with the delicacy of a master, particularly his mouth and eyes. He stares out at us with a solemn look. He has suffered for us, but he is at peace. And looking at this painting, with Christ’s hand on our world, and receiving his blessing, we too are at peace.