CLEVELAND — Italy called, the Cleveland Museum of Art said. It wants its 13th-century artwork back.
The art museum announced Thursday that it has agreed with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Italy to transfer a manuscript leaf with an illustration of the letter “A” that was once found in a centuries-old choral book back to its country of origin.
The artwork was excised from “Responsorial: Christ in Majesty with Saints,” which the museum said was published sometime between the years 1280 and 1300. According to the CMA, the choral book originated from a church located near Siena, Italy. The work consists of tempera painting, ink and gold on parchment…