"The controversial portrait was the work of Bruno Valentinetti, who came under fire last week when Italian media noted that an angel in a fresco at the basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina was a dead ringer for Italy's far-right leader. He initially denied these claims but has since agreed that the angel had Meloni's face. He insists, however, that hers was similar to the original."
"As the fresco is a contemporary artwork, it is not protected by Italian heritage law. "From a regulatory standpoint, the painting could have remained there for a hundred years," said the basilica's rector, Monsignor Daniele Micheletti, "but it has created too many divisions in the church." He also bemoaned the wave of visitors entering the church to see the fresco rather than pray."
Bruno Valentinetti painted an angel in a fresco at the basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina that resembled Italy's Giorgia Meloni. Valentinetti initially denied the likeness but later agreed the angel had Meloni's face while saying it resembled the original. The likeness drew crowds to the church before Valentinetti painted over the face, saying he had been ordered to remove it by the Vatican. The Diocese of Rome said the original facial features will be restored to the 2000 composition. The fresco, as contemporary art, lacks heritage protection and restoration requires cultural authorization.
Read at Artnet News
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