One of the most famous sculptures of the ancient world and arguably the greatest monument of Iberian art, the Lady of Elche, found in 1897, was soon after its discovery acquired by the Louvre for 4,000 francs
The masterpiece of Spanish antiquity remained in France until 1941, when Spain exchanged it, under a special programme, for several dozen other works of art and items of jewellery. The sculpture dates from the 4th century BC.
Franco ordered the Lady of Elche to be displayed in the Prado National Museum. There the celebrated stone bust of a woman in rich attire was exhibited until 1971, when the statue was transferred to the National Archaeological Museum, where it is on show to this day.
