Italian Court Blocks Loan of Leonardo's Vitruvian Man, Sparking Legal Debate
The Regional Administrative Tribunal for Veneto suspended the loan of Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man abroad on October 8, 2019. Former Uffizi director Antonio Natali praised the decision, arguing that the real issue is not conservation or security but compliance with Italian cultural heritage law. He cited Article 66, paragraph 2b of Legislative Decree 42/2004, which prohibits temporary export of works that constitute the 'main core' of a museum collection. Natali proposed that each institution compile a list of such works, approved by the Ministry, to prevent future disputes. He recalled a similar case in 2007 when Leonardo's Annunciation was loaned to Japan despite his opposition. Natali emphasized that Italy lacks enforcement of existing laws, not new legislation.
Key facts
- The Regional Administrative Tribunal for Veneto suspended the loan of Leonardo's Vitruvian Man on October 8, 2019.
- Antonio Natali, former director of the Uffizi, supported the suspension.
- The suspension was prompted by a legal appeal from Italia Nostra.
- Natali argues the core issue is compliance with Article 66, paragraph 2b of Legislative Decree 42/2004.
- The law prohibits temporary export of works that constitute the 'main core' of a museum collection.
- Natali proposed that each institution compile a list of such works for Ministry approval.
- In 2007, Leonardo's Annunciation was loaned to Japan despite Natali's opposition.
- Natali believes Italy lacks enforcement of existing cultural heritage laws.
Entities
Artists
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Vittorio Sgarbi
Institutions
- Tribunale Amministrativo Regionale per il Veneto
- Italia Nostra
- Gabinetto Disegni e Stampe delle Gallerie dell'Accademia di Venezia
- Galleria degli Uffizi
- Ministero dei Beni Culturali
- Gallerie dell'Accademia di Venezia
- Louvre
- Regional Administrative Tribunal of Veneto
- Uffizi
- Gabinetto Disegni e Stampe degli Uffizi
- Artribune
- Louvre Museum
- Fratelli d'Italia
- Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities (Mibact)
- Regional Administrative Tribunal of Veneto (TAR)
- ANSA
- Camera dei Deputati (Italian Chamber of Deputies)
Locations
- Veneto
- Italy
- Venice
- Japan
- Paris
- France
- Milano