The 141 x 175 cm oil on canvas from 1606 is stored at the Brera Fine Arts Academy in Milan and Italy is lending it to Croatia as a sign of welcome for Croatia's accession to the European Union on July 1.
The painting showing Jesus after the resurrection is coming to Croatia at the initiative of the Italian Foreign Ministry and the Italian Embassy to Croatia.
Ambassador Emanuela D'Alessandro has said the idea originated a year ago as a result of the joint wish of the Croatian and Italian culture ministers to underline the excellent relations between the two countries also on the economic front, just as Croatia joins the EU.
We wanted to contribute to that celebration in a grand style and the embassy will organise many other cultural activities over the summer, she has said.
Croatian Deputy Culture Minister Berislav Sipus has said that leading up to the day of accession, the ministry will support cultural programmes presenting all EU countries.
The painting is due to arrive in Zagreb later this month under special measures of protection. It has been insured at EUR 60 million.