A painting thought by scholars to be one of only a few by Leonardo da Vinci to have survived the half-millennia since the artist's death is set to be auctioned Wednesday in New York
The 500-year-old oil painting depicting Christ holding a crystal orb is called "Salvator Mundi" or "Savior of the World."
It has been guaranteed by a backer to sell for at least $100 million (85 million euros).
Christie's is the auction house conducting the sale. It says it is the only painting by the Renaissance master in private hands.
Christie's has exhibited the painting in Hong Kong, San Francisco, London and New York in the weeks prior to Wednesday's sale.
Rare Leonardo da Vinci painting could sell for over $100 million in New York auction
Copyright Getty Images
Ilya S. Savenok
<p>NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 10: Co-Chairman, Post-War and Contemporary Art New York Loic Gouzer (C) speaks as Christie's unveils Leonardo da Vinci's 'Salvator Mundi' with Andy Warhol's 'Sixty Last Suppers' at Christie's New York on October 10, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Christie's Auction House)</p>
Posted at 6:22 AM, Nov 15, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-15 06:22:28-05
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