Dürer exhibition at Prado threatened by legal hitch

The Prado museum in Madrid will go ahead with a major exhibition of works by the German artist Albrecht Dürer despite a controversy over whether some pieces were loaned without the necessary legal permits.

The Prado museum in Madrid will go ahead with a major exhibition of works by the German artist Albrecht Dürer despite a controversy over whether some pieces were loaned without the necessary legal permits.

The 87 drawings, paintings and prints by the Renaissance-era master, loaned by Vienna's Albertina museum, are due to go on display on 8 March. But last week, Austria's cultural affairs ministry said the Albertina had failed to file the proper paperwork before sending the treasured artwork to Spain.

A spokeswoman for the Prado said: "We hope that the Albertina fulfils the commitments it has with the Prado, which were signed in the contract. We plan to open the exhibit as planned."

The Prado received 57 of the works on 19 February.

Dürer's The Hare and some of the other works are among Austria's most precious - and fragile - historical treasures. Austrian cultural authorities fear the works could be damaged by the journey and exposure.

The Prado said it had fulfilled its obligations regarding care of the works, and trusted that Austrian cultural authorities would "collaborate without any reservations". It said the exhibition was the fruit of two years of negotiations.