London, England, 2008. Some of the most distinguished experts on the work of Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) gather at the National Gallery to examine a painting known as Salvator Mundi; an event that turns out to be the first act of one of the most fascinating stories in the history of art.
I think what fascinated me most about this was the idea that even today, with all of our scientific and chemical technology - we still cannot say for certain whether this painting is actually real! I recall the fuss at the time around the work in question "Salvator Mundi" - ostensibly by Leonardo da Vinci - and of the contrary opinions expressed as to it's authenticity. This documentary from Andreas Koefoed cannot emphatically enlighten us conclusively, but it does follow the journey of the artwork from it's humble, if somewhat unlikely, discovery (in Florida) through to it's much publicised acquisition for $450m. Is it real; was it deliberately faked; is it an overly restored work by his student, or of one of their students or by Dianne Modestini? All of these scenarios are questioned using a pretty high calibre list of experts involved over the years making this an intriguing look at not just how art is validated, but at the downright murky world of art dealing. Well worth a look.