Leonardo and Raphael art swap marks end of France-Italy spat
(The Guardian France)

Italy´s new government set to sign entente cordiale with France to exchange masterpiecesItaly 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 lend Italy paintings by Raphael for events marking 500 years since his death next year. Related: Leonardo da Vinci dragged into Salvini`s spat with Macron Continue reading...