VIENA, AUSTRIA.- Elisabeth Gehrer, the Austrian minister of Education stated today in Vienna that the Museo del Prado of Madrid will have to return the work titled “Hare” by Albrecht Dürer. The work had been transported to the city of Madrid for an upcoming exhibition at the Museo del Prado, but without authorization to leave Austria. The work has to return to Austria in four weeks, at the most. Elisabeth Gehrer also stated that other four drawings by Dürer will also have to be returned in four weeks.

The work titled "Grosse Rasenstþck" has also been excluded from the exhibition. This work was to be transported in a second trip, but will now stay in Austria. The rest of the works will arrive soon in Madrid just in time for the exhibition. Gehrer stated that “Hare” left the Albertina for the first time since it was acquired in 1796. She also stated that there will be no punishment for the museum director for allowing for the loan. He requested permission one day before the work was to leave Austria.