When internationally-renowned art restorer Dianne Modestini was asked to work on an old, damaged painting in 2005, she had no idea it would go on to become the world’s most expensive. The painting of Christ was believed to be inspired by the Italian master Leonardo da Vinci, but was eventually attributed to the artist himself. It went on to sell at auction for US $450,000,000.

Throughout the arduous task of restoring the painting Dianne had felt the presence of her late husband, the great Italian conservator Mario Modestini. He had seen the picture shortly before his death and working on it kept him alive for her.

As she restored the image, Dianne became convinced that it was by the hand of the master. Close comparison to the Mona Lisa convinced her that no one else in the world could have painted it, and a panel of authenticators came to agree that it was da Vinci’s lost masterpiece, the Salvator Mundi.

Producer: Nathan Gower

Presenter: Emily Webb

Image: Dianne Modestini with the Salvator Mundi

Credit: Cheryl Rossum