A "Penitent Magdalene" by Salaì , Leonardo da Vinci's closest collaborator , was auctioned yesterday for 1.7 million euros at the Artcurial auction house in Paris . This oil is one of the rare works recognized by the painter's hand, very close to the master's technique, especially in the treatment of hands and face. The price of the painting shot up to 1,745,000 euros, while his estimate was between 100,000 and 150,000 euros, reports Afp. «This painting, which its owner bought for a modest sum, entrusted it to us for sale. It came without attribution. Cristina Geddo revealed to us that she was from Salai, "Eric Turquin told Afp. « We found fingerprints: the painter pressed his thumb on the fresh paint, which is characteristic of the Leonardo and Salai technique, "added the expert. There is only evidence of four or five authentic paintings by Salai, including the "Christ the Redeemer", preserved in Milan, the rest are in private hands.
Measuring 65 by 50 centimeters, this oil on panel is dirty and with oxidized varnishes. It represents Mary Magdalene on a black background, with her eyes raised in ecstasy and her arms crossed. The slender, nude body is partially covered by golden brown hair.
Gian Giacomo Caprotti, known as Salai (1480-1524) , was a student, apprentice, model, treasurer, agent, and, some say, lover . Painter of androgynous angels, Leonardo was homosexual, like Botticelli, Donatello, Cellini or Michelangelo. Although he carried it with much less torment than the latter. Leonardo was accused of sodomy with Jacobo Saltarelli, 17 years old. He had at his service many young people, such as Atalante Migliorotti, a musician, or Gian Giacomo Caprotti, nicknamed Salai (little devil), a 10-year-old thief whom the teacher took a fancy to and with whom he lived almost all his life . It was surely her lover.
At 55, Leonardo met Francesco Melzi , 14, the son of a nobleman. Leonardo adopted him: he was for him a father and his teacher. Melzi became his personal secretary and one of his assistants in the workshop. He appointed him executor and received most of the inheritance, because of which Leonardo had bitter disputes and lawsuits with his eleven half-brothers.