Two private collectors from Geneva set out on a singular quest for a work that would convey a message of peace in a tense global context. Their ambition was to produce an atypical, contemporary and unique piece of art. Their exploration led them to Laurent Marthaler Contemporary’s gallery in Montreux, where they met the gallerist who represents Swiss artist Simon Berger. Following discussions with the gallery owner and the artist, the collectors commissioned a work that reinterprets Leonardo da Vinci’s famous Salvator Mundi, a now-defunct work depicting Christ in the position of blessing.
A universal message of peace and accessibility
Entitled Le Tableau de la Paix, this creation by Simon Berger aims to convey a message of universal peace, responding to a time when multiple conflicts persist across the globe. The collectors have expressed their desire for the work to travel and be accessible to everyone, everywhere. They encourage museums, foundations and other institutions to request Le Tableau de la Paix for international exhibitions.
Papal blessing and future destination of the work
The starting point for the project was the intervention of Enrico Gallo,
a Vatican insider, who facilitated the presentation of the work to Pope Francis at his annual meeting with children. Live on RAI and before an international audience of over 7,000 children from 84 countries, on this day dedicated to peace, the Pope blessed the work by Simon Berger. This is the first time in the history of the papacy that a work by a Swiss artist has been blessed, marking a singular and significant moment in the history of national art.
This blessing is of particular significance, underlining the recognition accorded to the artist and his work, while highlighting the position of Swiss art on a global scale. This gesture also establishes a link between the sacred dimension of art and spirituality, and illustrates the interaction between art and religion at the heart of this exceptional blessing. After this first step, the Vatican hopes that the work will remain for a time within its walls, to offer visitors the chance to contemplate it during their visit to Vatican City.
Simon Berger’s work and the Swiss-Vatican heritage link
The links between Switzerland and the Vatican are historic, as evidenced by the emblematic presence of the Pontifical Swiss Guard. In this vein, artist Simon Berger and his work are a living legacy of this relationship. While the next itinerary for this creation has yet to be determined, one stage has already been confirmed: the exhibition of the work in the Swiss Guard’s quarters.
