Salvator Mundi, a painting thought to be authored by Leonardo Da Vinci that depicts Jesus holding an orb, will now be available as an NFT. This is a huge nod to SOPRG’s vision for NFT art: a place where old-fashioned craftsmanship and creativity can leap into the digital world. This move to tokenizing artworks by renowned historical masters involves image licensing and copyrighting, which, in the case of Salvator Mundi, has been handled by the international image licensing company Bridgeman Images.
The minting was done by a digital assets company, ElmonX, in collaboration with Bridgeman Images. Previous iterations of tokenizing masterpieces have included the Mona Lisa, and they usually come with an “artist proof” of some kind. Basically, this means there is a stamp of approval given by an authority that grants the NFT the legitimacy it needs for collectors to deem it desirable. An “artist proof” can be a print version of the artwork or limited-edition memorabilia that enhances the NFT artwork.
Why is it important?
When people think of NFT art, what usually comes to mind is a high-end type of motion graphics or graphic design output created via computational power or something that requires digital technological to produce. While this is valid, it is not the only thing NFTs can do to enhance art. If you are making art the old-fashioned way, like painting or sculpture, you can use NFTs as your “artist proof” so that no one can fully replicate your artwork.
It is also significant because you see how an image and video licensing company collaborates with ElmonX. With this mint, there is a template of how the space can move forward.
So, it’s not just NFT art that benefits from such an occurrence. The entirety of the arts sector will see benefits from something like this happening.
For collectors
If you are into traditional art, you can become the certified owner of an ‘artist proof’ historical masterpiece. NFTs are being used to represent artworks such as the Salvator Mundi, whose physical version is in the collection of the Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. They are also used to raise funds for restorations of artworks, especially in sites of historical relevance that are struggling for their own maintenance. Finally, with fractional NFTs, you can part-own a physical painting.
So, as we can see, there many for NFTs in the arts sector, and they are real. From verification that a piece of art is not a fake to enhancing the experience of owning artwork and everything in between, the sky is the limit. Of course, digital artists have found a medium to protect their intellectual property and get adequate compensation. But that is not the only thing that blockchain technology enables, as we have seen. Even physical art stands to benefit.
For artists
It’s good news! You are not being replaced by computer technology or generative art. Those who create artwork the old-fashioned way, with bare-hand craftsmanship, have an opening into the tech-powered world. A painter, plastic artist, or sculptor can leap into the NFT space like any digital artist.
All this means is that there are different ways for viewers and collectors to engage with the artwork, enjoy it, and have meaningful viewing experiences.
NFT art galleries
When you are an artist, you will find out that there are all sorts of NFT art galleries specializing in different types of artwork. Some want to be known for digital art, while there are those who prefer to engage with generative art specifically.
Some NFT art galleries allow collectors owning renowned art pieces through fractional NFTs. And, of course, you have those like SOPRG, an NFT art gallery specializing in traditional art, that allows these kinds of expressions to jump into the NFT space.
The bottom line
Art doesn’t have to be married to a trendy medium or the latest technology that allows new possibilities of expression. Indeed, blockchain technology does not have to be exclusive to the tech-enthusiast crowd. Those who find value and joy in craftsmanship in art creation can absolutely join in.
The fact that the most expensive painting ever (Salvator Mundi, attributed to Leonardo Da Vinci) will now be available in a certified NFT version shows the immense potential for blockchain inside the art sector. This potential goes way beyond the people using it for creating art. Telling apart fakes from originals, use as ‘artist proof’ or enhancing the experience as a collector of a given artwork are some of the perks of this technology that we are just starting to tap into.
If you are an artist and want to start selling your art this way, make sure you head to SOPRG’s services page, where you’ll see all the things that we can do for you as an NFT art gallery.
Painting by Mrs. Pojarová – you can buy the NFTs via our shop.
