Historian and archaeologist Javier Ramírez has released his first literary work, a thriller that explores the mystery surrounding the Salvator Mundi, the most expensive painting ever sold. The plot is inspired by the fascinating journey of this artwork, which fetched 450 million dollars at a Christie's auction in New York in 2017.
The painting's history is enigmatic, as it was discovered in 1958 in a New Orleans barn and sold for just 72 dollars, its authorship unknown at the time. After restoration, it was attributed to Da Vinci, which dramatically increased its value. However, the mystery persists, as since its sale in 2017, its whereabouts and true buyer remain uncertain, despite speculation about its acquisition by a public figure.
“"It is the most expensive painting ever sold in human history, 450 million dollars at an auction at Christie's, in New York, in 2017."
The author's research uncovered a crucial link to Cádiz. The painting was in the city in the 18th century, owned by a merchant from Cádiz, Sebastián Martínez y Pérez, who was a patron of Goya. This relationship deepened when Goya fell ill in Cádiz, an episode that led to his well-known deafness. In gratitude, Goya painted a portrait of his patron, a work now displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Beyond fiction, the author reflects on Cádiz's vast archaeological heritage, often undervalued by its own residents. He highlights the existence of numerous unresolved mysteries, such as the location of the Temple of Hercules, and laments the lack of local interest in historical sites like the Gadir Archaeological Site or the Tavira Tower.
