Is the Mona Lisa coming home? Lombardy is a candidate to host Leonardo's masterpiece

The idea of returning Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa to Italy, specifically to the Lombardy region, has ignited an unprecedented cultural debate.

In a recent letter to the French Minister of Culture, the President of the Louvre denounced the critical condition of certain sections of the building. The museum, he stated, is structurally precarious, with water infiltration and temperature fluctuations posing a serious threat to the preservation of its artworks. Immediate restoration work is imperative.

The room housing the Mona Lisa is one of the museum's most overcrowded, with visitor numbers significantly exceeding capacity. Given its immense value, the Mona Lisa deserves a different setting, one that allows visitors to appreciate its significance beyond taking selfies in a crowded hall.

The Lombardy region has expressed its readiness to temporarily host the Mona Lisa, perhaps in conjunction with the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Regional Culture Assessor Francesca Caruso has stated that Milan is willing to host the artwork, even if only for a limited period.

The proposed location is the Pinacoteca di Brera, which possesses all the necessary qualifications to accommodate this timeless masterpiece of Italian art.

With the Milan-Cortina Olympics, the city could expand its already renowned Leonardo da Vinci circuit, which currently includes The Last Supper, Leonardo's Musician at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, and the Sala delle Asse at the Castello Sforzesco.

This presents a significant opportunity for our city, although the challenge is substantial. Despite the enthusiasm, the realization of this project faces numerous obstacles. Even once the Louvre's authorization is obtained, the procedures for loaning an artwork of such immense value are complex and time-consuming.

Moreover, the painting's fragility demands extremely rigorous security measures, both during transportation and exhibition.

We can only wait to see if Leonardo's famous masterpiece will return to Italy.