Saudi Arabia Plans Louvre Museum in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia plans to establish a 'Louvre of Saudi Arabia' in Riyadh, featuring Leonardo da Vinci's 'Salvator Mundi', which Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman purchased for $450 million in 2017. The painting has remained in a Geneva vault since its acquisition, but it is intended to serve as the museum's 'anchor object' to attract millions of tourists. According to Bernard Haykel, a Princeton University professor, the crown prince envisions the museum as a key part of his Vision 2030 initiative to diversify the economy and bolster tourism, aiming for 150 million visitors by 2030. The project reflects a cultural transformation under Salman’s leadership, including the easing of restrictions on entertainment and gender mixing. The documentary 'The Kingdom: The World’s Most Powerful Prince' details these ambitions, highlighting the painting's strategic role in challenging conservative elements within Saudi society. Saudi Arabia's Minister of Culture confirmed that Salvator Mundi has been in storage and will be displayed once the museum is ready.