In a remarkable display of art and philanthropy, a painting of Jesus Christ was auctioned for $2.75 million during a New Year’s Eve celebration at Mar-a-Lago, Florida. The event, hosted by former President Donald Trump, saw proceeds directed towards charitable causes.
The painting was a creation of Vanessa Horabuena, a “Christian worship painter” known for her ability to complete her works in mere minutes. At the gala, tickets for which cost $1,450, Trump announced that the funds raised would benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and the local sheriff’s office, as reported by The Independent.
“There’s a young lady named Vanessa who’s one of the greatest artists anywhere in the world,” Trump stated. “To me, she’s one of the greatest. … She’s a speed painter, and she’s a great painter, but I think she’s one of the great living artists.”
Horabuena, who has previously visited the White House to present her work, painted the portrait live at the event in just 10 minutes, accompanied by praise music. This swift style, known as speed painting, involves completing art in a restricted time frame, a method gaining traction due to digital advancements.
As the auction commenced, Trump jokingly identified the initial $1 million bidder as “the biggest guy on Wall Street,” implying the sum was trivial to him. The bidding escalated until a woman, humorously noted by Trump as potentially needing bankruptcy, secured the piece at $2.75 million. CNN reported the winner as “a woman in a top hat.”
Despite earlier social media activity criticizing figures like Colorado Gov. Tim Polis and actor George Clooney, Trump expressed a more tranquil demeanor at the event, sharing his new year’s resolution: “peace on Earth.” He also committed to investigating alleged fraud at Somali daycares in Minnesota, describing it as “a giant scam.”
The event was graced by notable personalities, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, highlighting the gathering’s high-profile nature.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
