In late-April, France’s national statistics agency, INSEE, reported that the country fell into recession as it’s GDP contracted 5.8 percent in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to the coronavirus lockdown imposed in March.
Writing in French magazine Usbek & Rica, founder and chief executive of tech company Fabernovel, Stephane Distinguin, has proposed the country’s authorities sell the Mona Lisa for at least €50 billion ($55 billion).
The businessman also suggested that the Mona Lisa could be “tokenised,” with a form of crypto-currency allowing the painting to be easily exchanged between nations.
Last year, the Louvre launched work on a virtual reality programme that would allow visitors to see Mona Lisa up close and away from the crowds of tourists at the gallery. At the same time, the same year, da Vinci’s painting was dubbed the most disappointing tourist attraction in the world.
Stephane Distinguin, aged 46, founded his company in 2003 and was awarded the Legion d’Honneur, France’s highest order of merit, last year.
Sourse: sputniknews.com
