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Experts see risk in letting da Vinci painting travel abroad

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf

Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Lady with an Ermine,’ circa 1490. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Lady with an Ermine,’ circa 1490. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
WARSAW, Poland (AP) – Art conservationists warn that plans to transport Leonardo da Vinci’s painting Lady with an Ermine from Poland to exhibitions abroad might cause damage to Poland’s most precious picture.

The Culture Ministry has agreed to let it be shown at London’s National Gallery starting in November and is also considering requests to let it travel to Berlin and Madrid.

But the plans for it to leave Poland have sparked anxiety among art conservationists, and a news conference in Warsaw on Tuesday was devoted to the debate. Its permanent home is a Krakow museum.

Art conservationist Janusz Czop said he believes the risk of allowing it to travel is too high. Deputy Culture Minister Piotr Zuchowski said the ministry will consider the conservationists’ warning.

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AP-WF-04-12-11 1517GMT

 

ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE

Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Lady with an Ermine,’ circa 1490. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Lady with an Ermine,’ circa 1490. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.