I think Jesus would facepalm the buyer.

The market bears what it can.  I'd pay a few hundred for a Jason Fabok Wonder Woman sketch, the one I wanted sold for $1,700 so I don't blame him charging that much if people pay it.

In terms of art that goes for millions, it is mainly an investment strategy, not done out of any love of art.  

all tax avoidance!

There shouldn't be anyone living in poverty if someone can drop 450m on a painting. But what can ya do?

This belongs in a Museum.

-Indy

Oh im all for artists to charge whatever they want, and there are many that are willing to pay that price too. I've bought numerous art for hundreds as well, just some people complain cause they cant afford it/dont understand lol

Beautiful painting. As a complete layman when it comes to art I'm always impressed by how effectively they were able to illustrate light in those old paintings...

Of course, it's also kind of funny that the subject of a painting that sold for $450 million is a man who chose a life of poverty and begging for himself. He wasn't hostile towards the rich as many like to erroneously claim (the only account of him being hostile towards anyone were those who tried to turn faith into a money-making venture), but I have to imagine he'd look at the wealth spent on that painting and ask the purchaser to perhaps give it to the homeless instead.

Definitely don't mean to sound holier-than-thou or anything as lord knows I spend my money frivolously, but whenever depictions of Jesus are sold it always seems to run counter to his message.

The earliest surviving icon of Christ (500s) from the Saint Catherine's Monastery in Egypt. Probably the personal icon of Byzantine emperor Justinian.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_Pantocrator_(Sinai)

I don't understand the high price, especially considering that this is ending up in private hands. What the person going to do with it?

Man I can't believe my $445 million bid was outdone