The writer Walter Isaacson, in his book Leonardo da Vinci: A Biography, explained the unusual properties of the crystal ball in the hand of Jesus Christ in the painting "Savior of the World." It was reported by The Guardian on Thursday, October 19.
Isaacson noted that the transparent ball on the canvas does not distort the space behind him, which is extremely strange, given that while working on the painting, da Vinci simultaneously explored optical illusions and the refraction of light. This is confirmed by numerous entries and diaries in the artist's diaries. According to Isaacson, da Vinci was obsessed with his research, and if he drew the ball correctly, the objects behind the figure would be inverted.
“Leonardo decided not to portray the crystal ball realistically because he considered it a distraction. Or he tried to convey the miraculous qualities of Christ and his ball in this way,”Isaacson explained.
Earlier in October, it became known that the "Savior of the World" will be put up for auction with an initial cost of $ 100 million. The history of the canvas has several variations. According to one of them, the painting was in the collection of King Charles II, then belonged to the son of the Duke of Buckingham. After that, she periodically disappeared and reappeared at auctions.