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Agence France-Presse

The Mona Lisa, the world’s most famous painting, should be brought back home to Italy from France, Italy’s far-right Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said on Wednesday, before clarifying he was joking.
His comments come as French-Italian relations have nosedived following a series of rows over illegal immigration, domestic policies and personal attacks directed at French President Emmanuel Macron.
“I announce that we’re working with the French ambassador to take back the Mona Lisa,” Salvini said at a press conference to announce events commemorating 500 years since the death of the artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci.
“It would be more convenient for everyone who wants to see her up close,” said Salvini, who is also interior minister.

“Joking apart, obviously, we don’t need more international crises.”
Da Vinci was born in the Medici-ruled Republic of Florence in 1452 but died in France in 1519.
Salvini said he would visit Da Vinci’s Last Supper fresco in Milan before May 2, the date of the Renaissance polymath’s death.
“As for the Mona Lisa, as long as she is in Paris, that will take a bit longer,” Salvini said.
France not taking enough asylum seekers: Italy minister slams Emmanuel Macron for comments on migrant ship Aquarius
The painting, whose mysterious smile has long captivated artists and admirers, draws millions of people to the Louvre museum in the French capital each year.
France and Italy’s relationship has soured since Salvini and populist leader Luigi Di Maio formed a government in June.

The two governments have clashed on a variety of issues, including the Lyon-Turin train line, migrants and the loan of art works for this year’s Da Vinci events.
France in February recalled its ambassador after a series of “outrageous” statements by Italian officials.
The Chinese make-up artist who transforms into the Mona Lisa… and Marilyn Monroe
On Wednesday the Italian government presented a wide-ranging schedule for celebrations to mark da Vinci’s death over the next year.
“It’s a holiday that will last all year and it’s an opportunity for Italy to celebrate a genius, a genius that is ours, universally appreciated, so much so that the celebrations will take place around the world” said Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.
Dozens of events are planned until April 2020.
A major exhibition dedicated to da Vinci’s scientific genius opened on Wednesday at the Scuderie del Quirinale palace in Rome, entitled “La scienza prima della scienza” (the science before science).


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Italy

Italy should take back the Mona Lisa, far-right Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini jokes

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini present plans on how the 500th anniversary of Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci’s death will be marked in Italy. Photo: Reuters

French President Emmanuel Macron addresses a news conference after meeting the African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia March 13, 2019. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri

Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte, rightr, and Italian Interior Minster and deputy prime Minister Matteo Salvini attend a press conference on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of Leonardo Da Vinci death in Rome, Wednesday, March 13, 2019. In background the Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper is displayed. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Did Leonardo da Vinci draw this ‘Nude Mona Lisa’? Experts believe he did

The ‘Mona Lisa’, Leonardo’s inscrutable masterpiece, which hangs in the Louvre. Photo: Shutterstock

Finding the Mona Lisa’s background on a road trip into the heart of Italian culture

Heading inland from Rimini on the Adriatic coastline, La Marecchiese is a showcase of Italian flair and fare nestled in the Emilia-Romagna region, recently voted the Best Destination in Europe by Lonely Planet

The castle of Montebello (Mons Belli) Rimini, Italy Credit / Alamy [FEATURES 2018 POSTMAGAZINE TRAVEL]

Cinema Fulgor in Rimini Emilia Romagna Italy Photo : Handout [FEATURES 2018 POSTMAGAZINE TRAVEL]

Pennabilli (Rimini, Italy), the old town Credit / Alamy [FEATURES 2018 POSTMAGAZINE TRAVEL]

Italian poet, writer and screenwriter Tonino Guerra at the press conference in St.Petersburg,Russia. Credit / Alamy [FEATURES 2018 POSTMAGAZINE TRAVEL]

San Leo castle.

Pennabilli, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. Picture: Alamy

‘Early Mona Lisa’ may be Leonardo da Vinci’s original

Leonardo da Vinci's "Early Mona Lisa" in Singapore. Photo: Reuters

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World

Europe

Comment was made as period of strained relations between France and Italy continues


Comment was made as period of strained relations between France and Italy continues.


France

Italy should take back the Mona Lisa, far-right Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini jokes

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Comment was made as period of strained relations between France and Italy continues

Comment was made as period of strained relations between France and Italy continues