Italy's populist government has escalated tensions with France by saying it will cancel the previously agreed loan of paintings by Leonardo da Vinci paintings to the Louvre for a major 2019 exhibition.

Speaking to The Telegraph on Sunday, Lucia Borgonzoni, Italian undersecretary for the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, said the government would block the Louvre from pursuing loan transfers of several prominent artworks from Italian museums.

“When I discovered (the agreement), I thought to myself: ‘This is one of the biggest, most shameful acts of the previous government with regard to cultural heritage.’

"How could any Italians be in favour of giving over these da Vinci works without asking for something equally important to display in this anniversary year?” said Ms Borgonzoni, who is a member of the far-Right League party.

“Leonardo was Italian, after all. Why don’t they loan us the Mona Lisa?”