Ramírez's work, published by Caligrama, delves into the fascinating journey of the Salvator Mundi, a painting attributed to Leonardo da Vinci that holds the record as the most expensive in history. The author, who describes himself as a thriller enthusiast, leveraged his historical expertise to craft a plot that explores the value of art and the painting's mysterious current whereabouts.
The artwork fetched an astronomical 450 million dollars (equivalent to 382 million euros) at a Christie's auction in New York in November 2017. However, its current location remains unknown, though it is speculated to have been acquired by Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman through an intermediary and is reportedly kept on his yacht.
“"Who gives value to art? Who determines its price? That is the background of the book."
Ramírez's research uncovered a surprising fact: the Salvator Mundi was in Cádiz during the 18th century. Its owner at the time was Sebastián Martínez y Pérez, an influential art collector and treasurer to King Carlos IV, who also patronized Goya. Martínez y Pérez brought Goya to Cádiz to paint the Santa Cueva and hosted him when the artist fell ill.
The novel recounts how a historian from Cádiz, Alejandro Vega, receives an email on behalf of the Saudi prince, who seeks to verify the painting's authenticity based on its stay in Cádiz. For this, Vega collaborates with a German specialist, Nora Lenz, whose methodical personality contrasts with the open character of the Gaditano, creating an intriguing dynamic in the plot.
Francisco Javier Ramírez Muñoz, in addition to being a historian and doctor in the History of Science, is a professor at the UCA in Medicine and Nursing. He owns the cultural management company Tripmilenaria, which manages important archaeological sites in Cádiz such as the Gadir Site and the Torreón de las Puertas de Tierra. He is also known for his participation in the Cádiz Carnival and served as a PSOE councilor in the Cádiz City Council between 2019 and 2022.
