[10][11] In 2017, Bader was identified by US intelligence as having purchased, on behalf of Mohammed bin Salman, Salvator Mundi, a painting attributed to Leonardo da Vinci.

[14][15] On November 15, 2017, the Salvator Mundi, attributed in whole or in part to Leonardo da Vinci, was purchased at auction during Christie's New York's Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale for $450 million, the highest price ever paid for a painting up until this date.

[16] The Wall Street Journal reported that same date, citing US intelligence assessments having named Badr as the proxy buyer for Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.

[17] One day later Christie's published a statement confirming that the country's Department of Culture and Tourism had acquired the painting for display at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

[19] On 2 June 2018, Prince Bader was appointed as Saudi Arabia's first minister of culture and stepped down as chairman of SRMG.