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Mona Lisa longe do público. A group of visitors examining the famous Mona Lisa painting by italian Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. The world's most famous painting will move its accommodation on Sunday 3 April 2005, away from public sight. The portrait of the mysteriously smiling so-called 'Gioconda' will return to its former and newly renovated exhibition hall 'Salle des Etats', which is only 150 metres further down the corridor from its present location. EPA/Frank Kleefeldt



Venus sensual. The Beth Shean Venus, a statue discovered in 1993 beneath present day Beth Shean in northern Israel near the Sea of Galilee, but only presented to viewers today, Wednesday, 30 March 2005 in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, dates dates from the Roman period of the second century BC. The headless feminine figure stands 1.56 meters tall and has a Cupid riding a Dolfin at her side. It is remarkable for its beauty and sensuality as well as having the prescence of red, blue and yellow pigments still surviving on its surface. It is the highlight of an exhibition entitled 'The Beauty of Sancity'. EPA/JIM HOLLANDER