Buying Into the Buzz.(European summer 2003 art exhibitions)(Brief Article)(Calendar)

However clever our alternative route, there's no way a seasoned art lover can avoid Paris, London or Rome this summer. Two Parisian standouts are "Leonardo da Vinci: Drawings and Manuscripts" (through July 14 at the Louvre), a rare chance to put the Mona Lisa in context, and "Arabian Icons: Christian Art of the Levant" at the Institute of the Arab World (through Aug. 17). What better time for some real ecumenism? Paris isn't Paris without fashion, so do check out Marlene Dietrich's costumes at the Palais Galliera through Oct. 12.

For London headliners, we'll go with the big Ludwig Kirchner show at the Royal Academy of Arts because the German expressionist gets the full treatment and, because we want to keep up to speed with the Brit art scene, Damien Hirst at the new Saatchi Gallery. Kirchner's acidly colored, circa 1910 pictures can be seen June ...