Production companies Studiocanal, The Picture Company, Entertainment 360 and Zaftig Films are joining forces for a new TV series based on the 2021 documentary The Lost Leonardo, starring Julianne Moore.

It tells the story of Salvator Mundi, the most expensive painting in the world, which depicts Jesus Christ wearing a blue and crimson robe, his right hand in the shape of a blessing and his left hand holding a celestial globe. Experts believe that it is probably Leonardo da Vinci’s last work around the same time that he also created his most famous work, the Mona Lisa.

The Oscar-winning actress will star as Dianne Modestini, the art conservator who was the first to say with certainty that it was by the Renaissance master and took on its difficult restoration with great zeal.

In 2017, she will also be stunned along with the public when the auctioneer announces before hitting the hammer at Christie’s New York that the $1,000 item is the most expensive painting ever bought, reaching a record $450 million. dollars.

As Deadline reports, in the time between the restoration and the sale, there have been many mysterious changes, twists and dark confrontations.

The auction buyer has never been identified but is believed to be Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia. The ambitious production will explore whether the painting is a breakthrough or one of the biggest hoaxes in art history.

The actress will also serve as an executive producer between Charlie Gogolak, series creator Gillian Wicks and John Requa and Glenn Ficara who will also direct.