It is fitting that the first major outing for Leonardo’s newly restored "La Belle Ferronnière" is to the city where the work was made five centuries ago. The painting, which is in the collection of the Louvre, Paris, has returned to Milan for Leonardo, 1452-1519, now on show at Palazzo Reale (until July 19). The Italian exhibition has been timed to coincide with the Milan Expo (May 1 - October 31). The work is also due to travel to the United Arab Emirates in 2016 for the opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

The sitter’s fine features and most of her delicate complexion have been recovered, thanks to restorers at the Centre de Recherche et de Restauration des Musées de France.