Salvator Mundi – Italian School, 18th Century
Oil on canvas, 54 × 34 cm
Currently undergoing conservation by Baumgartner Fine Art Restoration
Original gilded frame preserved
This 18th-century Salvator Mundi by the Italian School presents Christ as the “Savior of the World,” raising his right hand in blessing while gazing gently to the side. Painted with calm precision and luminous tones, the figure radiates both divinity and serenity. The soft background highlights Christ’s form, emphasizing harmony and simplicity—key features of post-Baroque Italian devotional art.
The painting is currently undergoing restoration at Baumgartner Fine Art Restoration. Conservators are removing layers of overpainting to reveal the artist’s original technique and palette. Early discoveries suggest a well-trained hand, with refined brushwork and subtle modeling that elevate the painting’s emotional depth.
Notably, this version avoids the heavy drama seen in colonial renditions of Salvator Mundi. Instead, it reflects Renaissance ideals—balanced composition, gentle light, and spiritual clarity. The piece bridges earlier religious traditions with Enlightenment aesthetics, where restraint and proportion were highly valued.
The original gilded frame, which remains in excellent condition, complements the painting’s soft tones. Its craftsmanship reinforces the artwork’s historical value and will remain untouched during restoration.
To explore a related work, see Giampietrino’s Salvator Mundi, housed at the Detroit Institute of Arts. For additional works from this region and era, visit our European Art Collection.
Once restored, this Salvator Mundi by the Italian School will reemerge as a luminous example of 18th-century spiritual portraiture—one that blends technical skill with timeless reverence.