Italy and France bury hatchet over Leonardo da Vinci celebrations
Italy’s new government set to sign entente cordial with France to exchange masterpieces
Italy and France are set to sign an agreement to exchange works by Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael, burying a spat triggered by Italy’s former populist government.
The deal is expected to be signed in Paris on Tuesday by the recently reappointed Italian culture minister, Dario Franceschini, and his French counterpart, Franck Riester. It will result in Italian museums lending works by Leonardo to the Louvre, in Paris, for an exhibition in October to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the artist’s death. In return, France will loan Italy paintings by Raphael for events marking 500 years since his death next year.