With this exhibition, featuring the most valuable painting ever shown in Croatia, Italy wants to celebrate Croatia's entry into the European family, Italian Ambassador Emanuela D'Alessandro said, adding that there were similar cultural events in other Croatian towns.
She said the idea for the project originated a year ago as the joint wish of the Croatian and Italian culture ministers to reaffirm the excellent relations between the two countries through cultural cooperation.
Zlatar Violic thanked D'Alessandro for being among those who genuinely looked forward to Croatia's accession to the European Union on July 1, saying Croatia and Italy were ready to face the existing problems.
The painting, insured for EUR 60 million, arrived in Croatia at the initiative of the Italian Foreign Ministry and the Italian Embassy to Croatia. The exhibition is open until August 31, after which the painting will return to its home, the Pinacoteca di Brera gallery in Milan.