October 24 – December 14, the famous drawing of human proportions will be on display at the  Musée du Louvre

Leonardo’s iconic drawing of human proportions, the Vitruvian Man (1490), is very fragile. For this reason, it is normally shown for only a few weeks at a time every six years. The rest of the time, it is kept in a climate-controlled vault at the Accademia Gallery of Venice. However, it is about to join other seven works lent to the Musée du Louvre in Paris. From October 24^th to December 14^th, the French museum will host an exhibition commemorating the 500th anniversary of Leonardo‘s death.

The agreement between Italy and France according to which the Renaissance master’s work will be given on loan. Heritage group Italian Nostra filed a complaint to Veneto’s regional court saying the drawing is too fragile to travel. Moreover, they said it risked being damaged by the lighting in the Louvre if displayed for a long period. Especially in consideration of the fact that this year it has already been on show in Venice from April to July. However, the court rejected the appeal allowing the loan to take place and the drawing being lent to Paris.

The exhibition at the Musée du Louvre will be a blockbuster. The Louvre holds five of the only 14 paintings attributed to Leonardo. The Museum will borrow the other works by the artist. Including the Battle of Anghiari and the Adoration of the Magi. These two will travel from the Uffizi Gallery in Florence where they are usually housed.

Italy’s culture minister, Dario Franceschini, and his French counterpart, Franck Riester, signed the loan agreement last month. As part of the accord between the two countries, the Louvre will send paintings and drawings by Raffaello Sanzio to Rome. Next year, the Scuderie del Quirinale will host an exhibition marking the 500th anniversary of the death of the artist, also known as Raphael.

Ilona Catani Scarlett