Salvator Mundi
The earliest Italian example of a "Salvator Mundi" is likely that of Simone Martini in his "Salvator Mundi Surrounded by Angels" at the Palais des Papes, Avignon. This image shows Christ at full length rather than the bust length images of later paintings of the "Salvator Mundi". The image of "Salvator Mundi" later became well known in Italy, and especially Venice, through the archetype from Giovanni Bellini, now known only through copies. This includes Andrea Previtali's painting at the National Gallery, London. Another fifteenth-century example can be seen in the Palazzo Ducale in Urbino in the very-damaged painting by Melosso da Forlì. It as been suggested that Leonardo based his composition specifically from this example.