Da Vinci's portrait of Christ could fetch US$100m at auction

New York

THE last privately owned Leonardo da Vinci painting and one of fewer than 20 by the Renaissance artist known to still exist is hitting the auction block, Christie's announced on Tuesday.

Salvator Mundi, an ethereal portrait of Jesus Christ which dates to about 1500, is expected to sell for about US$100 million at Christie's in November, making it among the most highly-valued works ever to be sold at auction.