In the past, news was discussed solely on the basis of its content; today, it is often a question of whether it might be fake news. A scenario as if painted for the subject of the documentary LOST LEONARDO. Briefly looking back to the noughties, which are known for their retro cult image, when out of the blue a "Salvator Mundi" from the 15th century appears, author allegedly Leonardo da Vinci, of which only 15 originals are in circulation. A gift from heaven, or was it the art-loving Santa Claus? Despite considerable doubt as to whether the master himself wielded the brush; the art market is giddy with excitement over the lost Leonardo.
Originally purchased for around $1,000, the painting is suddenly worth $400 million. One wonders: Does Andreas Koefoed's documentary ultimately show us the whole truth about the business with art? One critic even claims that gallery owners, museums and the public want to be lied to. This phenomenon is older than da Vinci himself. It goes from Pontius to Relotius. And the Christmas story is the best example of the fact that at some point it doesn't matter whether a story is true or false - it just has to be good.
The story of the "Salvator Mundi" is simply too good to be true - as is the restoration. The "original", which had been painted over several times, was "restored" by the restorer in the style of da Vinci. Did she falsify its condition to suggest a particular origin? The fact that it originated from da Vinci is not documented. And the provenance of a work, i.e. its history, is considered by experts to be one of the most important criteria for originality.
Speaking of which: not every restorer interprets the work as open-heartedly as the Spanish pensioner, who years ago polished the church fresco "Ecce Homo" to such an extent that today she must be called an artist of her own standing - with an unmistakable signature. And that in turn brought her a tsunami wave of internet fame.
Come on, dear art world, let's have some fun! The story about THE LOST LEONARDO is a real thriller and quickly overshadows the missing information about the painting's origin. Therefore, it is less funny than it is truthful. If the "Salvator" were a real person, then he would be less of a Saviour, and more of an impostor. Or both in one portrait. Because he so cleverly fulfils the market’s longing for a new Messiah. 
In the film, the hype turns out to be an ingenious coup by those who have an interest in the thing going under the hammer at a high price. Remember: Needs produced under the conditions of the market are always genuine, and the truth behind them also has a well comprehensible provenance this time. No, not Bethlehem, but quite simply: the eternal pursuit of profit.
And because today even a lie detector in police interrogations would not bring to light one hundred percent truths from curators, gallery owners, and restorers, but instead numerous false answers from full conviction, the following applies to every story, no matter how crazy: the values must be right. Even if it is only the physical values in the polygraph test.
In any case, Christian values include celebrating the birth of the Saviour for at least two days at Christmas. At the same time, everyone has their own image of him in their head, and not one is wrong.
We wish you a contemplative festive period with the only true, genuine and original X-Mas song!
