The oldest restitution claim ever?
September 10 2012
Picture: Museo Prado
In Italy, the National Committee for Historical, Cultural and Environmental Heritage has made a formal request to France for the return of the Monal Lisa. More details in the Independent, which adds, at the bottom of its webpage:
*This article was originally erroneously illustrated with a copy of the Mona Lisa in Spain's Prado galery [sic]. This has since been rectified and now shows the original painting.
But actually, why not? The Italians should ask the Prado if they can have the copy back, as a consolation prize.
Update - a reader writes:
It must surely gall Italians that the Louvre owns more easel paintings by Leonardo (5) that there are in the whole of Italy (4, not including the Baptism).
