Newly released emails from Jeffrey Epstein, published by House Republicans, show the disgraced financier discussing Leonardo da Vinci's *Salvator Mundi* with journalist Michael Wolff. In a May 2019 exchange, Epstein referenced the $450.3 million painting—the most expensive artwork ever sold at auction—and suggested its sale was linked to a real estate deal involving a Russian billionaire and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Epstein also mentioned that his "art guy" thought the painting wasn't very good.
The emails matter because they add another layer of intrigue to the already mysterious *Salvator Mundi*, whose attribution, buyer, and current whereabouts remain subjects of intense speculation. Epstein's comments tie together several high-profile figures—including a Russian collector on the ARTnews Top 200, a Saudi prince, and former President Donald Trump—raising questions about the intersection of art, money, and geopolitics. The exchange also highlights how the art world's opaque transactions can become entangled with broader political and legal controversies.