A publication with new scientific analysis of the controversial picture – which is believed to be owned by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman – was withdrawn after the Saudi authorities refused to loan the $450m painting to the Louvre’s major Leonardo da Vinci exhibition in Paris, The Art Newspaper reported on 31 March. A Louvre spokesperson confirmed that Editions Hazan’s 45-page book “was a project in case the Louvre got the chance to present the painting. As this has not been the case, it is not going to be published”.
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