Da Vinci Drawings In Birmingham After 2-Year Quest

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - The Birmingham Museum of Art is hosting a group of Leonardo da Vinci drawings that are being shown outside of Italy for the first time.

The drawings are among the most treasured collections owned by the Biblioteca Reale in Turin.

Officials there were hesitant to let the 11 fragile pages from the notebooks of one of the greatest artists in history leave their care but technology made it possible.

Each page is being displayed in a high-tech climate controlled frame that regulates the temperature and humidtiy for each piece.

Clara Vitulo directs the Biblioteca in Italy and said using the so-called climaboxes were the only way the drawings would be allowed to travel.

The exhibit opens Sunday and runs through Nov. 9.